Gilas Pilipinas forms own version of dreaded Pinatubo Trio

IS the dreaded Pinatubo Trio about to reincarnate at Gilas Pilipinas?

From the looks of it, another set of Pampanga’s best similar to San Sebastian’s deadly trio a few years ago is coming together for the national team

Calvin Abueva, Jayson Castro, and no less than Los Angeles Lakers sophomore Jordan Clarkson are now being groomed as Gilas’ version of the Stags’ Pinatubo Trio, which consisted of Abueva himself along with Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual.

All three hails from Pampanga, with Abueva a native of Balibago, Angeles, Castro from Guagua, and Clarkson, whose Filipina mother is from the city of Angeles.

[See Clarkson joins Gilas practice]

Although Clarkson is not yet cleared to play for the national team, both Abueva and Castro are already excited over the possibility of forming Pinatubo Trio 2.0 with the Lakers star.

“Sana makalaro siya dito sa atin kasi ang laking bagay niya,” said Abueva. “Excited, excited na makasama siya.”

“Syempre masaya kasi mabubuo ulit yung trio na parang sa Baste dati kaya I'm excited to play with him,” added the former NCAA Most Valuable Player.

“Pinatubo Trio sana,” said Castro. “At saka si Calvin alam naman natin 'yung defensive ano niya, si Jordan sana makalaro siya kasi malaking, malaking, malaking tulong siya sa Gilas as a shooter. Nakikita naman natin na he can shoot the ball sa NBA range pa.”

Clarkson joined the team for the first time during its practice Wednesday night at the Meralco gym although team officials disallowed media from interviewing the NBA rising star.

[See SBP working covertly to gain Lakers permission for Clarkson's Gilas stint]