Jordan Clarkson has been great for Gilas, but even more so for the Filipino people.
I say this because this guy has legitimately been proud to don the National colors and share his experience with our basketball program. It’s quite rare to find half-Filipinos who choose to associate themselves more with their Filipino heritage. Clarkson has been different from the rest thus it’s no surprise he’s been showered with love and affection from the millions of Pinoys all over the world.
This isn’t some guy who was just pressured into suiting up for the National squad. Often times Filipinos have this peculiar trait of “owning” a portion of someone famous. With Clarkson playing in the grandest basketball stage, it’s no wonder Filipinos have dug up and mapped out how he is linked to the Philippines. Ever since news came out that he could possibly play for Gilas, Clarkson has been very vocal about his desire to represent the Philippines in international competition. He’ll even be the first one to tell you that he’s Filipino and that it would be a dream come true to represent the country.
What I find the most joy in this situation is the fact that an up and coming NBA player such as Clarkson would risk his health and sacrifice his off-season rest to grind it out with our squad in the 2018 Asian Games. The NBA season is no joke which is why rest plays such a huge role in preparing for the next 82-game cycle.
The Cleveland Cavaliers guard has been a wonderful addition to the squad in spite of what our record says. We might have failed to secure a podium finish, but the excellent showing against Asian powerhouses such as China and Korea are enough to give our fellow basketball-crazed kababayans a beacon of hope for years to come.
Being able to share the same court with legends, and may I add Filipino favorites, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, Clarkson brings a lot to the table which can really be the start of a renaissance in Philippine basketball. Perhaps with Clarkson in tow, the Philippines can become a basketball powerhouse in Asia in the next couple of years.
I can’t wait for the next time Clarkson and Co. suit up. The results might still be against us, but I’m damn sure that their #PUSO will be there every single time they go into battle for the Philippines.
BasketBola 