Aug 12, 2018

All-PBA team leaves for Asiad in high spirits

THE Jordan Clarkson saga over and done with, coach Yeng Guiao and the Philippine team will now fully focus on its campaign in the Jakarta Palembang Asian Games.

The all-PBA squad, backstopped by the core of the Rain or Shine team, practiced for the last time Sunday morning at the Meralco gym during which it was informed that Clarkson, the Fil-Am guard of the Cleveland Cavaliers, wasn't given clearance by the NBA to join them in the Indonesian capital for the basketball competitions that begin August 14.

"We're ready and everything is set," said Guiao following the walk-through practice that didn't last two hours. "It's just a light one (practice) to shake off some of the rainy day blues, the flooding blues."

The team leaves for Jakarta 9 p.m. Sunday.

"Maganda naman," Guiao said of the team's mood despite the news that the 26-year-old Clarkson will no longer be coming on board. "They're a little excited, but sabi ko nga sa kanila, we have to manage our expectations and we have to be ready to do the work on our own."

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"There's a little bit of disappointment, pero nakahanda naman kami," said Guiao of Clarkson's case. "We'll still be playing as hard as we can with or without Jordan Clarkson."

In Clarkson's absence, the team will be bringing with them veteran guard Don Trollano, whose name will be included in the team line-up to be presented during the managers' meeting set on Monday.

Guiao is keeping his fingers crossed the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) will allow Trollano's last-minute inclusion given the circumstances surrounding Clarkson.

"Whether he's approve or not, he will join the team na," he said of the TnT Katropa guard, who was his former player while the two were still with Rain or Shine.

The team will be arriving in Indonesia at least two full days before its opening game against Kazakhstan on August 16.

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"I-feel out muna namin yung lugar then practiced probably in the afternoon of Monday," said Guiao, whose not taking chances against a Kazakhs team, which he describes as 'rugged, physically strong, and tough.' (RG)