Philippines, 29 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Has Gilas found a messiah from LA?


PhilBoxing.com




THERE?s a bright picture of the chief national basketball trouble-shooter flashing an angelic smile beside LA Lakers? Jordan Clarkson at the airport.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios returned from California on Monday with the prized sophomore point guard of the LA Lakers.

There was however nothing clear on what Clarkson would be doing in the country of his mother?s birth.

**

For the record, the initial announcement about Clarkson was limited to his role as endorser for Smart Communications.
Of course, it did not take long before it was made clear Clarkson would be pushed to be part of the badly depleted Gilas national team in its quest for the lone Olympic berth for Asia.
The continental slot will be disputed in Hunan, China starting late next month.

**

Next, a question on Clarkson?s eligibility to play in the Fiba Asia championship was raised.

Then, as though heaven-sent, it was reported that Clarkson had been issued a Philippine passport as a child growing up in the United States.

His Filipino mother, Anne Davis, is a native of Angeles City.

**

There is overriding confidence Clarkson would breeze through the Fiba eligibility requirements.

But the bigger question is whether or not the LA Lakers would allow him to suit up for the Philippines in the forthcoming Fiba tournament.

It was reported SBP is in direct communications with the Lakers on this touchy issue.

**

Anyway, with the possibility of Clarkson playing for Gilas Pilipinas growing, one bright reaction noted the LA guard should be able to plug holes in the national squad.

So far, there has been no clear reaction from national coach Tad Baldwin, who was forced to scrape bottom following the regrettable pullout of several tested Gilas team mainstays.

Has Baldwin, who some experts felt would be needing a miracle to complete a truly competitive line-up, been instantly blessed with a saviour?

?God is good to those with good hearts and good intentions, ? a confident Barrios was quoted as saying upon arrival from California.

Barrios was the same national basketball trouble-shooter who was caught in the in middle of an eligibility storm that last year resulted in the disqualification of naturalized Andray Blatche from playing for the Philippines in the Asian Games in Incheon, Korea.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
    , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Vitor vs Subkhankulov, Tapales vs Kalsynov in Double IBF Asia Title Fights in Moscow on Feb. 13
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • “It’s about owning my own journey” Jeanine Brown retuns for Title Clash March 13 – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Long Boxing Journey settles in New Bedford, MA for Junior Featherweight prospect Joshua Alvarado
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Steph Curry is 19th leading scorer of the NBA
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 JANUARY 2026: Raymund Muratalla Edges Andy Cruz; Walsh Outpoints Ocampo
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit at Mt. Apo on February 19-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
    , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.