Former Lakers star Clarkson, ROS core part of Gilas Asiad pool

Clarkson became part of the trade package that was sent to Cleveland for Isaiah Thomas, and Clarkson eventually made it to the NBA Finals last season despite struggling during his first playoff stint. (Photo: Jordan Clarkson/Facebook)

MANILA — Jordan Clarkson could suit up for Gilas in the Asian Games.

The six-foot-five NBA guard is listed in the 18-man pool the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) submitted for the August event in Jakarta.

Despite being a second-round pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, who acquired the said selection from the Washington Wizards right during the 2014 NBA Draft, Clarkson worked his way to become one of the top players in the then rebuilding squad.

Clarkson became part of the trade package that was sent to Cleveland for Isaiah Thomas, and Clarkson eventually made it to the NBA Finals last season despite struggling during his first playoff stint.

Should the SBP secure the clearance from the Cavaliers, Clarkson will become a vital figure in the Asian Games lineup that will be made up of the core of the PBA’s Rain Or Shine squad.

Why the E-Painters?

The designation of the Elasto Painters’ core as the nucleus of Gilas’ Asian Games squad, according to Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua, will be formalized in a meeting by the PBA board on Thursday.

Initially, the core of TNT was agreed upon by the PBA board and the SBP to be sent to the Indonesian capital for the Asiad, but with FIBA suspending four TNT players for 1-5 international games after their participation in the brawl against Australia during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers on July 2, both parties decided to divert a bit, leading to the ROS core’s selection.

However, Chua, who is the sports director of the San Miguel Corp., bared that the core of the San Miguel Beermen was initially being tapped as replacement for the TNT core but he declined.

“Medyo pagod na rin,” Chua explained the begging off.

On how the board came up with the proposal to send the ROS core, Chua said, “Sabi ko, ‘Kung sino na lang yung number one bago nung semis’ (I told them, ‘Just send whoever ends up at number one before the semis.’)

The E-Painters, behind burly import Reggie Johnson and a breakout stint from Chris Tiu, finished on top of the team standings after the Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at 9-2 and eventually made the semifinals only to succumb to the Barangay.