By REYNALD MAGALLON
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) remains in constant communication with the camps of NBA star Jordan Clarkson and aspirant Kai Sotto in hopes of bringing the two in for Gilas Pilipinas by July.
SBP president Al Panlilio said they are still in talks with the camp of the two and are still finalizing the schedule in time for another series of tuneup games in China in the first week of August
“We’re talking to him. Timing lang talaga. We’re gonna be asking him if he can come to join us in the last week of July because we want him to be part of the games in China,” Panlilio said of the situation with Clarkson.
“Of course, he has committed naman to play, we’re just finalizing the schedules,” he added.
The same could be said for the Sotto situation according to the SBP chief.
The 7-foot-3 center is still in the US waiting for a callup for the NBA Summer League after a series of training camps with a couple of NBA teams
“We know he’s busy with the NBA Summer Leagues. He wants to join. We’re in constant communication with him. I know he has committed to be part of the pool. He also wants to come in maybe some time in July,” he said.
The two players missing a huge chunk of the team preparations when Gilas goes on a European trip until mid-July makes it more crucial for them to attend the China pocket tournament, according to Panlilio.
Aside from the two, four other players namely RR Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Jordan Heading and Ray Parks won’t also be joining the team in Estonia due to respective injuries and they could still get a chance of making it to the lineup during that tournament.
“Ang alam ko against Lebanon, Senegal and one more team. We’re playing teams na kumbaga, makakalaban natin sa World Cup. So playing European teams, for Italy, African teams and American teams also,” added Panlilio.
Panlilio also revealed that the federation is also mulling the possibility of putting up its own pocket tournament here in the country just before the World Cup.
“We’ll finalize that but for sure we’ll have some games. Mga 3 more games here in the Philippines,” he added.
