Illustration by RENE ELEVERA
It took a while but Jordan Clarkson will finally suit up for the Philippines.
Fans had long clamored for the Cleveland Cavaliers standout to don the national colors in an international tournament.
After drawn-out negotiations with the National Basketball Association, it’s finally happening. Clarkson will be part of the national men’s basketball team that will hunt for gold in Indonesia against continental heavyweights.
For Clarkson, it’s a chance to reconnect to his Filipino roots, so he didn’t think twice when tasked to carry the flag for the Philippine delegation during the opening ceremonies.
The message, said Philippine team chef de mission Richard Gomez, is that “whether you are a Filipino born overseas or locally, we are just one big sports family.”
“I’m excited, I’m very excited for the ceremony and everything,” Clarkson said hours before the march.