Clarkson at 2 Chinese NBA vets, pinayagan ng NBA sa Asiad

HULI man daw at magaling, puwede na rin.

Sa isang krusyal na desisyon, ipinahayag nitong Martes (Miyerkules sa Manila) ng National Basketball Association (NBA) ang pagbibigay ng ‘special exception’ kay Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson para makasama sa Team Philippines-Gilas basketball team na sasabak sa 18th Asian Games sa Jakarta, Indonesia.

Isang positibong balita para sa Team Philippines. Ngunit, huwag masyadong magdiwang.

Tulad ni Clarkson -- naglalaro sa Cleveland Cavaliers – binigyan din ng parehong pribelihiyo sina Houston Rockets center Zhou Qi at Dallas Mavericks forward Ding Yanyuhang para makalaro sa National team ng China.

Kasama ng Nationals sa Group B elimination phase ang China at Kazakshstan. Sa format, kailangan ng Pilipinas na magwagi ng isa para makausad sa quarterfinals.

“Parang naluto lang tayo sa sarili nating mantika. Pinayagan nga si Clarkson, dalawang Chinese NBA veteran naman ang nadagdag din sa Team China,” pahayag ng isang beteranong National coach na tumangging pangalanan.

Naunang naipahayag ni NBA spokesperson Tim Frank ang hindi pagbibigay ng ‘green light’ kay Clarkson dahil ang Asian Games ay hindi kasama sa mga kompetisyon na napagkasunduan ng NBA at Fiba para payagang ang NBA players na sumama sa kanilang National team.

“The NBA’s agreement with Fiba stipulates that NBA players can participate in the Olympics, Fiba Basketball World Cup, Continental Cup competitions, and associated qualifying tournaments. Because the Asian Games are not one of those competitions, NBA players are unable to participate.

“In accordance with the NBA’s agreement with Fiba, Jordan is welcome to represent the Philippines in the agreed-upon competitions,” pahayag ni Frank.

Ikinadismaya ito ng sambayanang Pinoy at kaagad na sumulat ang Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) para sa rekonsiderasyon.

At positibo itong tinanggap ng NBA.

“The NBA’s agreement with FIBA stipulates that NBA players can participate in the Olympics, the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Continental Cup competitions and associated qualifying tournaments. Because the Asian Games are not one of those competitions, NBA players under contract are unable to participate. However, due to a lack of clear communication of that agreement between the NBA and the Chinese and Philippines Basketball Federations, and after further discussions with both Federations, the NBA has agreed to provide this one-time exception,” ayon sa inilabas na joint statement ng SBP at NBA kahapon.

“After continued communication between the SBP and the NBA over the past few days, we were able to come together to pave the way for Jordan Clarkson to represent the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games. The SBP and the NBA have a longstanding relationship of working together to grow the game of basketball in the Philippines, and we share in the excitement of fans across the country and wish Gilas Pilipinas the very best in Indonesia.”

Sa hiwalay na pahayag, pinasalamatan ng SBP ang NBA sa naging desisyon.

“This action of the NBA will no doubt cheer the hearts of Filipinos here and all over the world, as we warmly welcome Jordan into the Gilas Pilipinas team. SBP would also like to thank all those who worked hard with us in putting together this arrangement with the NBA, leading to Jordan’s participation in the Asiad 2018. LABAN PILIPINAS! PUSO,”