Jordan, LeBron and Kobe for Gilas? Possible
The possibility looms perhaps in 2023, that Gilas Pilipinas will have Jordan Clarkson, Francis “LeBron” Lopez and Kobe Paras to man the backcourt and wings.
The current window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers is showing us what LeBron can bring to the table. Save for his missed free throws, the 18-year-old Fil-Angolan winger is the next big thing in Philippine basketball. Lopez should look into the possibility of taking his act to the US and train there just like what Kai Sotto did. After all, LeBron has a standing offer from EastWest Private to train in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
For me, the biggest revelation is not just LeBron, but Cebuano Carl Vincent Tamayo, who made it rain after he made back to back triples in the third quarter during the match against Indonesia and scored 10 points in 10 minutes in the win against the South Koreans on Wednesday.
If Carl can make his threes consistent, he will be a force to reckon with in the UAAP and perhaps he should explore the possibility of going to the States and train. He could be the next Luka Doncic if he continues to improve. He is a legitimate 6-foot-8 wing with the agility, handles and post moves. He can also be a banger and an enforcer, which coach Tab Baldwin likes.
Regardless of what happens tonight during the re-match between Gilas and South Korea, I still believe that Gilas can really look forward to a brighter future. My concern is whether we can get Jordan Clarkson to play as a local in 2023. We need to storm the heavens in prayer so that Fiba would grant Clarkson even a one-time exemption to play as a local. His presence will boost the country’s chances to make it to the next round of the World Cup in 2023, with the help of a lucky draw in the group stages. If we end up in a lighter group, which I seriously doubt, then we may be able to turn some heads. The goal for me is the 2024 Paris Olympics. We need to be the best Asian team in the World Cup and we will make it to the Olympics after 50 years.
Keep this group together so that it can work on the chemistry and surely the sky is the limit for Gilas in the next five to 10 years.