Jordan Clarkson tells Gilas Pilipinas ‘see you in China’, but will Fiba allow him to play alongside Andray Blatche?

Cleveland Cavaliers star Jordan Clarkson is keen to represent the Philippines at the 2019 Fiba World Cup but his presence in China depends on whether the world governing body will ease its strict eligibility rules.

The 26-year-old Clarkson posted an Instagram message congratulating his Gilas Pilipinas teammates on qualifying for the August 31 to September 15 tournament, finishing off his short note with “hope to see you guys in China!”.

He wrote: “congrats to my bros and the country such a honor for the country, qualifying for the world cup, so hyped!!! hope to see you guys in china!!!”

However, the Philippines could be faced with a selection problem if Fiba insists on sticking to its rule that each squad can include no more than one naturalised player. Clarkson, who was born in Tampa, Florida and has a Filipino mother, is considered naturalised because he obtained his Filipino passport after the age of 16, according to officials.

It means Clarkson would be competing for the sole spot on the team for a naturalised import with former NBA player Andray Blatche, who was the star of the Gilas team in their 93-75 away victory over Kazakhstan on Sunday that clinched qualification for the World Cup.

Blatche, a 6-foot-11 (2.11m) power forward who played for the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets, proved to be an important cog in the Philippines attack by scoring 41 points against the Kazakhs.

The 6-foot-5 Clarkson has also proven himself in national colours, being the outstanding player for his team in the Asian Games in Jakarta in August, although the Philippines could only manage fifth place.

Clarkson scored 19 points in the Cavaliers 123-110 loss to Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, taking his season average to 17.0 points.

While fans are calling for Clarkson to be included on the World Cup side, the country’s basketball governing body are gearing up for a battle to have the Cavs player and Blatche on the squad.

“We have been trying to convince or discuss the matter with Fiba,” SBP president Al Panlilio was quoted as saying. “Everyone is working on the matter and we will do everything we can to make it happen.

“Based on our constitution, he is Filipino. He has a passport. But he got it after he was 16 years old.”

The Philippines joined Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Jordan and Iran as Asian qualifiers for the World Cup. China, who finished fourth in pool E, qualify as hosts.

The South China Morning Post contacted Fiba on its naturalisation eligibility rule but the body had yet to respond.

Coach Yeng Guiao is hopeful he would have Clarkson and Blatche on his squad.

“It’s interesting. The SBP will be working on that,” said Guiao. “We’ve made the World Cup. The next problem is performing in the World Cup.”