Lakers News: Jordan Clarkson Will Not Play For The Philippines

Jordan Clarkson, a Filipino-American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. image: turner.com

There’s been a lot of talk over the summer about second-year guard Jordan Clarkson, a Filipino-American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association for potentially playing for the Philippines' national team. Clarkson has expressed an interest in representing his country, but didn’t want it interfering with his commitment to the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to The Philippine Star, Clarkson will not be playing for the national team at this point in time because of his current commitment:

            "In an email to US-based Philstar.com contributor Homer Sayson, Mike Clarkson, Jordan’s father, cited timing as a factor in his son’s decision to pass on the  chance to don the           country’s colors, emphasizing Jordan’s  current commitment  with the Lakers in the NBA. Jordan is in town and has  started working out with the nationals."

Clarkson was initially put on the 24-man preliminary roster for the Filipino squad after being deemed eligible as a natural-born player earlier this month, via Naveen Ganglani of Rappler:

            "The state of the Philippine national basketball team took an unexpected turn on  Monday, August 24, when it was revealed that Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan  Clarkson actually       acquired a Philippine passport before turning 16-years-old, making him eligible to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas."

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Director Sonny Barrios told Rappler on Monday in a phone call that reports of Clarkson’s eligibility to play as a “natural born” Filipino player were true.

With Clarkson not playing for the Philippines in international competition this summer, the up-and-comer will get back to focusing on being ready for training camp with the Lakers. The NBA preseason won’t get underway for the Lakers until Oct. 4 against the Utah Jazz in Honolulu, Hawaii. Training camp should get started during the final week of September.

Clarkson will join D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle as the focal point on a talented young squad with a lot of prove during the upcoming season. Kobe Bryant will lead the pack as usual along with veterans newcomers Lou Williams, Brandon Bass and Roy Hibbert.- Lakers Nation

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Ozu Ong, Famous Masculado Dos Performer shot dead after his Bar Performance in QC, Philippines

‘Masculados Dos’ member slain by carjackers may have known assailants—PNP

A member of the all-male group Masculados Dos who was shot dead in a carjacking incident in Angono, Rizal early on Sunday might have known his assailants, police said.

Marcelo “Ozu” de Guzman Ong II, 30, was dead on arrival in the hospital, after he was shot at around 3:45 a.m.  Sunday (August 2, 2014)

Ong had come from a performance in bar in Quezon City and was about 25 meters from the gates of their subdivision, Primrose Hills, in Barangay (village) Mahabang Parang when the incident happened.

The assailants, on board a car, then took away Ong’s Toyota Hilux with plate number AAO2272.

Superintendent Lucilo Laguna Jr., Angono police chief, said in a phone interview that Ong “must have known his assailants.”

This, he said, was based on a witness’ account who said that Ong had gotten out of his vehicle and had briefly spoken with one of the suspects before the shooting took place.

“There were at least two suspects — the one who shot the victim and another who drove the victim’s vehicle,” Laguna said.

He said they were looking into Ong’s job, which includes “performing in bars.”

Laguna said investigators have spoken to Ong’s live-in partner, Kysillin delos Santos, 28, and she told them that Ong had no known enemy.

According to Laguna, Ong left behind three young children with Delos Santos.

Earlier Sunday, Maryo J. Delos Reyes, manager of Masculados, announced the untimely death of Ong.

“It is in grief and great sadness that we announce the demise of one of our premium artists…,” the Delos Reyes said in a statement.

“His relatives, friends and brothers at Productions 56 are requesting for prayers for the eternal repose of his soul,” he said. “We shall surely miss his very energetic performances…

Ozu Ong's remain is at the Lazarus Chapel B, Transfiguration of Christ Parish Church Columbarium, of Manuel L. Quezon Ext., Antipolo City.” –Maricar Cinco, With a report from Bayani San Diego Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer and other sources

Photos of the late Ozu Ong

(Grabbed from his Facebook account and Masculados Dos FB Page)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Singer Chris Brown barred from leaving Philippines amid contract dispute

Singer Chris Brown is shown at a party on April 10 in Bermuda Dunes, California. image: CNN

Manila, Philippines (CNN)Award-winning U.S. singer Chris Brown has been barred from leaving the Philippines because of a contract dispute, the official Philippines News Agency reported Wednesday.

Brown was stopped Wednesday morning while preparing to depart on a private jet from Manila's international airport on his way to Hong Kong for a concert, the news agency said.

The Philippine Department of Justice said that an order had been issued Tuesday night to stop any attempts by Brown, 26, to leave the country.

Brown performed a concert that evening as planned, but the order was put in place to compel him to pay back money that promoters said was owed to them after he failed to appear for a previous appearance scheduled for last New Year's Eve.

That concert was supposed to take place at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, north of Manila.

The Bureau of Immigration said Brown and his promoter John Michael Pio Roda were both subject to an immigration lookout bulletin, but they could seek a clearance certificate that could allow them to leave if the Department of Justice consented.

It's not the first time that the chart-topping star has run into trouble with authorities.

A few months after Billboard named him Artist of the Year, Brown assaulted his then-girlfriend Rihanna -- another popular singer -- inside a rented Lamborghini on the eve of the Grammy Awards in February 2009. He pleaded guilty that June to one felony assault count, after which he was put on probation for five years, ordered to serve 180 days of labor-oriented service and made to take a yearlong domestic violence class.

He made a public apology but didn't stay out of trouble. In 2012, he had an altercation with rapper Drake at a New York club. The next year, a woman accused Brown of shoving her at a club in Anaheim, California, bringing an assault and battery claim; he was accused of committing a hit-and-run in Los Angeles; and he was accused of felony assault after an incident outside a W Hotel in Washington.

Those incidents added up, along with a positive marijuana test and prosecutors' claim that Brown didn't finish his court-mandated community labor. He entered rehab in 2013 to "gain insight into his past and recent behavior," his representative said, only to get kicked out of the facility for smashing his mother's car window during a family session, according to his probation officer.

Brown entered another rehab facility, only to leave in 2014. He was then taken into custody by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies after a judge revoked his probation. He was released from jail in June 2014.

Last week, the artist was the apparent victim of crime after armed intruders burst into his Southern California home and locked his aunt in a closet, according to police. - CNN

Journalist Arlene Espiritu reported from Manila and Merieme Arif from Atlanta, while Laura Smith-Spark wrote from London. CNN's Greg Botelho contributed to this report.

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Philippine Azkals Football Team reach highest ever FIFA ranking

Philippine Azkals National Football Team - image:Philstar.com/File

Azkals ascend in FIFA rankings

The Philippine Azkals got on Thursday their highest FIFA rankings so far at 124.

The Azkals that was ranked 137th in the world last month, climbed 13 notches following their success in the joint World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers.

Consequently, the Philippines remained the No.1 team in the Southeast Asian region and No.17 in the continental rankings. The Azkals will continue their journey to the World Cup on September 8 when they face Uzbekistan in a home game at the Philippine Sports Stadium.

Meanwhile, Newbie Azkal Luke Woodland might be the possible answer to the team’s center back problem according to veteran defender Rob Gier.

“I do see him as a central midfielder in the future but in the meantime having more competition for places in all areas of the team can only be good for the development of the squad,” Gier said on Woodland in an interview with The Manila Times.

Woodland, who is currently searching for a club after being released by long-time team Bolton Wanderers FC, last played for Oldham Athletic FC on a one-month loan agreement with his mother club.

At the young age of 19, Woodland is a seasoned competitor having represented England in youth level international tourneys.

Gier believes that Woodland, standing six-foot tall fits perfectly in the back-line.

“Seeing his size and physique in person, it was obvious that he could also be an asset at the back,” Gier said.

He added that Woodland could also fill-up a defense position.

“Center back has been a position we have struggled to find any real depth so learning that Luke is capable of play there is a big positive,” he said.

Having three natural center backs, Gier, Juani Guirado and Amani Aguinaldo, it is crucial for the Azkals to put a competent man in the center back position.

After being barred to play in the first game against Bahrain because of eligibility issues, Woodland is now cleared to play for the Philippines.

He was part of coach Thomas Dooley’s new 3-5-2 formation used by the Azkals in their second game against Yemen.

“He dealt with the disappointment of missing out on the first game very professionally and produced a solid display against Yemen,” Gier said.  - The Manila Times

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