The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas remained in constant communication with the camps of NBA star Jordan Clarkson and aspirant Kai Sotto in hopes of bringing in the two by July.
*Kai Sotto (left), SBP president Al Panlilio and Jordan Clarkson (FIBA Photos/ PBA Images)
* SBP president Al Panlilio said they are still negotiating with the two camps as they finalize 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 Sotto's situation according to the SBP chief. The 7-foot-3 center is still in the US as he waits 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. 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. “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.