Baldwin: Talks ongoing with Clarkson, Blatche for FIBA OQT

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ men’s national basketball team will need all the help it can get when Manila plays host to one of the 3 Olympic Qualifying Tournaments taking place from July 4 to 10.

The country’s powerhouse opponents include Canada, Turkey, France, Senegal, and New Zealand. (READ: Sizing up Gilas Pilipinas’ foes at the Olympic Qualifiers)

Only one of the 6 teams competing in the Manila OQT will earn a ticket to the 2016 Rio Olympics men’s basketball tournament, and it’s clear the Philippines’ chances of winning will be better if it has the services of naturalized Filipino and Gilas big man Andray Blatche, plus Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson.

As of now, nothing is final yet.

“I haven’t spoken directly with them, but SBP has, and talks are underway with both,” Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin said on Saturday, January 30.

“So we have to see first of all what the eligibility is for Jordan, and I know he is working himself, with his people, and FIBA to try and achieve the eligibility to be able to play as a local Filipino player.”

Last August, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) director Sonny Barrios told Rappler that Clarkson can play for Gilas as a “natural-born” Filipino player since the Los Angeles Lakers guard acquired a Filipino passport before he turned 16.

“In 2004, if I’m not mistaken,” Barrios said.

Clarkson ultimately couldn’t play for Gilas in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship due to conflicting schedules with his NBA team, but did commit to the Gilas program through 2024.

“We give him every help and assistance that we can in that effort,” Baldwin said about the SBP helping Clarkson attain his eligibility from FIBA.

After a Lakers game back in December, Clarkson told Rappler that if his schedule permits, he would join Gilas in the Olympic Qualifiers.

“No update for me personally. I actually haven’t talked to Jordan a while. Probably that was the first or second week of the NBA season, so I haven’t been able to speak to him,” said Gabe Norwood, a forward for the national team.

“I know his passion, his heart’s there. You could tell that when he was with us in Taipei (for the Jones Cup). Hopefully it works out and we wish him all the best.”

Clarkson’s addition would be very welcome, especially since he’s had an impressive second season with the Lakers, averaging 15.1 points and 3.8 rebounds a game, per ESPN.

Another Gilas showing for Blatche would also be appreciated by the team. During last year’s FIBA Asia tilt, the 6-foot-11 former NBA player averaged 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds a game.

A report on Philstar.com last October also indicated that Blatche plans to join the national team for the OQT.

“Yes (Blatche gave his assurance) before he left (for the US). He said if it happens (Gilas joins the Olympic Qualifying Tournament), we just let him know. He’s dedicated to us,” SBP deputy director for international affairs Butch Antonio said in the report.

“With Andray, it’s just a matter of putting ink on paper now, and getting the right offer in front of him, and hopefully he’s not going to break the bank for us,” Baldwin said about Blatche, who also played for Gilas in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

“Hopefully he’s going to want to join us because he’s a passionate Filipino now and he wants to see our team play in the Olympics.”

Norwood said he also talked to Blatche recently, but their chat focused more on the big man’s current tenure with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association.

“Talked to Dray not too long ago, but didn’t really talk too much about anything outside of what he’s doing there in China, so we’ll see what happens and he seems to be on board. I can’t speak for him, but he seems like he’s on board,” Norwood said.

“We look forward to both of them, if possible,” said Baldwin. “And maybe neither. Who knows?”

When asked if the plan is for Blatche to be signed to a long-term deal with Gilas, Baldwin said that isn’t the case.

“I don’t think so. I think we’re going to keep looking at it on a case-by-case situation with Andray. I think that’s the way his people want it, and I think that’s the way we want it, too.” – Rappler.com