JAKARTA — As a late addition to the Philippine basketball team, NBA guard Jordan Clarkson was never fitted for a barong tagalog to wear to Saturday's opening ceremonies of the 2018 Asian Games.
But Philippine delegation officials are hoping one will fit the country's flag-bearer.
Philippine chef de mission Richard Gomez said six oversized barong tagalogs were hurriedly shipped to the Indonesian capital as soon as news came in that Clarkson has been cleared to play for the national basketball team at the Games.
“Those were the only oversized ones left so we shipped them out as fast as we can,” said Gomez, who arrived on a Philippine Airlines flight here on Friday night together with some Filipino athletes. “I hope one of those fits Jordan.”
Made out of silk, the barong tagalog embroidered with “harimanok ”design and sun on both breasts was designed by noted couturier Randy Ortiz.
Clarkson, 26, will walk at the head of a 270-strong Philippine delegation carrying the Philippine flag during Saturday's rites at the sprawling Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
Gomez bared that he had endorsed Clarkson as the flag-bearer to Philippine Olympic Committee secretary general Pato Gregorio “because Clarkson is a good role model who has reached the pinnacle of being a Filipino basketball athlete by playing in the NBA.
"He will inspire our other athletes here to do well.”
He pointed out that bestowing the honor on Fil-Am was also sending a message that “whether you are a Filipino born overseas or locally, we are just one big sports family.”
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