PBA chair Vargas suggests looking into possibility of fielding both Clarkson and Brownlee in World Cup: It's worth a try

A Gilas Pilipinas team with both Jordan Clarkson and Justin Brownlee would be something worth trying for, PBA Board chairman Ricky Vargas said as the national team looks ahead to the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Vargas proposed the idea during their planning session in Paris, according to an update made by the league on Friday.

"It's worth a try. Bakit hindi," said Vargas prior to their planning session.

("It's worth a try. Why not?")

"Why does it have to be a choice?" the league chair said. "But the question is, is it possible?"

The league chair and TNT governor said Clarkson would be the naturalized player while Brownlee will be counted as a local, if FIBA will allow it in case the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) makes an appeal on the Barangay Ginebra import's case.

Vargas' hopes are in reference to a special FIBA residency rule since Brownlee has been playing in the Philippines since 2016. He became a naturalized player this year and played for the flag as the national team reclaimed the gold medal in the recent Southeast Asian Games.

"Si Brownlee pusong atin. Ugaling atin na 'yan. Nakita n'yo naman," said Vargas.

("Brownlee, he has our heart. He has our attitude. You've seen it.")

"You have a beautiful scenario when you have both."

While Brownlee only recently played for Gilas, Clarkson has donned the national colors in two campaigns in the past. He played first in the Asian Games in 2018, and in the fourth window of the FIBA Asia Cup.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News