Clarkson won’t play in China tourney

NBA star Jordan Clarkson won’t be joining Gilas Pilipinas anymore in Guangdong, China come August 6 as previously announced.

Instead, the Utah Jazz shooting guard will head straight to Manila on August 8.

“He’s (Clarkson) initially, we thought he’s arriving August 6, but turns out he’s leaving LA on August 6. He won’t play in China. He might just go straight here in Manila,” Gilas coach Chot Reyes said in an interview with News5 on Tuesday morning, just before the national squad leaves for China to join the pocket tournament.

Jordan Clarkson FIBA PHOTO 

The outspoken national mentor allayed fears that chemistry will be an issue since the 6-foot-5 Clarkson will only have a little over two weeks to integrate himself with Gilas.

“Jordan knows what we’re doing. He’s not like he’s coming in blind, or coming in for the first time,” shared the 59-year-old Reyes. “He knows what we’re doing. He’s an NBA player, he’s a professional.”

The many-time coach of the Philippine men’s squad did admit that the late entry of the 31-year-old Clarkson could mean “a lot of adjustment” within the national team.

Yet, what could work to Clarkson’s advantage and vice versa is the team’s familiarity with the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

“Yes, there will be a lot of adjustment that needs to be done, a lot of familiarity, but he’s not coming in blind,” he stressed.

And while Gilas has been dealing with the absence of young slotman Kai Sotto, who won’t be joining the national team in the Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in Guangdong, Reyes said the national players are in “good spirits” nonetheless.

Gilas is playing all-Filipino in the pocket tournament as it faces Iran and Senegal twice.

Originally, the national squad will also face Lebanon, but at the last minute, the Cedars pulled out of the competition.