SPORT | Jordan Clarkson laments being unable to play for Gilas, recalls chess session with Pacquiao

Cleveland Cavaliers guard and Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson | AP File Photo via Philstar

MANILA, Philippines — Cleveland's Jordan Clarkson has donned two jerseys in his young NBA career.

But when is he going to don the Philippines'?

Speaking to John Michael and Rafa Brito-Hernandez in the CavsHQ podcast, the Filipino-American guard hinted on his frustrations on not being able to sport the Gilas tricolors and his plans down the line.

"It's definitely you know, something I want to do," he told Brito-Hernandez when asked about missing Gilas trainings and the chance to play for the Philippines in the international arena due to the NBA scheduling.

"Everything just kind of didn't work out, FIBA rules and all that stuff," he revealed with a sigh.

In the same interview, Clarkson, now playing alongside LeBron James and the Cavaliers, recalled his short vacation in the country that was highlighted with multiple workouts with Gilas and a visit at Manny Pacquiao's residence.Clarkson, for one, couldn't forget taking on the decorated boxer in the game of chess.

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"We played chess, man!" he shared enthusiastically. "For a long time in his house! I think we went through like two or three boxes of KFC. I'm just sitting there eating the whole time while playing."

"That's why I stayed there so long. I was trying to beat him," he remembered with a chuckle. "He whooped my tail off."

Clarkson, whose Filipino lineage could be traced to his mother Annette's roots in Pampanga, carries a Filipino passport, which he has had since his pre-teen years, according to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

He was in consideration for inclusion into the Gilas lineup since 2015, but FIBA rules have been rigorous for the young cager. The basketball governing body deemed him ineligible to play as a Filipino for a shortage in documents supporting that he has obtained a Philippine passport before turning 16.

He is only qualified to play as a naturalized Filipino — a slot that has been held by Andray Blatche for quite some time.

"Hopefully it comes out soon, you know, [that] I'd be able to suit up," Clarkson offered with optimisim.