The waiting game continues.
The FIBA World Cup is just a month and change away from tipping off—and yet one Jordan Clarkson is yet to show up for the Gilas Pilipinas training camp.
In fact, it appears that not even the coaching staff knows for certain when the Utah Jazz gunslinger will arrive to get practice reps with the national team.
“We've been in touch with them [Clarkson’s representatives],” Gilas coach Chot Reyes told News5’s Martie Bautista. “We're trying to get him in as early as possible, and our hope is he's able to join us for the China trip. That's where we're at now.”
If that update sounds familiar, it’s because it is practically the same thing Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio said a month ago when asked about Clarkson’s status.
“We’re still talking to him. Timing talaga. I haven’t gotten the latest update,” Panlilio told Bautista back in June. “The last time I spoke to [Gilas team manager] Butch Antonio, who spoke to him, Chot was also supposed to speak to him personally last week. We’re asking sana if he can join us last week of July ‘cause we want him to be part of the tournaments in China.”
Gilas will be leaving for China for a pocket tournament slated on August 2–6, where it will be taking on Iran, Lebanon, and Senegal. That gives Clarkson about three weeks to make up his mind as to whether he will fly in to join Gilas or not.
Reyes, it appears, is keeping his fingers crossed at this point.
“The talks are ongoing,” he maintained. “So, hopefully [Clarkson joins Gilas soon].”
How soon is soon enough is anyone's guess.
(With reports from News5's Martie Bautista)