by Jonas Terrado
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Al Panlilio said tapping Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson in lieu of suspended naturalized player Andray Blatche is next to impossible.
Blatche was handed a three-game ban for his role in the massive Gilas-Australia brawl last July 2 and won’t be available in the first half of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers second round.
For one, Panlilio said the SBP will have to deepen its pockets to make such thing a reality.
“He’s qualified, he’s an option but can we afford him? That’s another question,” Panlilio told reporters after Thursday’s press conference held at the PLDT office in Makati City.
Clarkson is considered as a naturalized player by FIBA.
