Remember when Michael Jordan sent the fax message that set the world afire — or at least in Chicago and wherever Bulls if not NBA fans were — with two words “I’m back?”

Well, the communique sent by the NBA’s communications office Wednesday morning had over 140 words. But all that matters is the headline that reads: “NBA grants one-time participation for NBA players to participate in Asian Games”. And that NBA player is also named Jordan.

Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson, 26, who showed basketball fans what he could first with the Los Angeles Lakers and now with the Cleveland Cavaliers, will be suiting up for the Philippine men’s national team in the upcoming Asian Games that will be held in Jakarta.

About 3 a.m. Philippine time on August 15, Clarkson posted on his Facebook account pictures of him wearing the Pilipinas jersey and another with his name on it. Wrote the 6-foot-5 player: “Puso! My heart is full of gratitude for everyone who helped make this happen. See you all very soon!”

In the wake of all the controversy about Philippine basketball in recent weeks (the basketbrawl with Australia during the FIBA World Cup qualifying match and the initial pullout from the Asian Games), this is perhaps the best news.

This is the first time the country will have a current NBA player suiting up for the national team. In years past, we’ve always had former NBA players. This is the first time we have one and he isn’t a scrub. How cool is that? That is way high up on the cool charts!

And from a patch-up squad built around pro club, Rain Or Shine, the Philippines now has a big chance of a podium finish in the Asian Games. Of course, that is getting ahead of ourselves.

Aside from Clarkson, named to the squad are: Maverick Ahanmisi, Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga, JP Erram, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, Stanley Pringle, Christian Standhardinger, Asi Taulava, Chris Tiu and James Yap.

That’s a pretty good team of international veterans and promising ones. Those with experience include Ahamisi and Pringle (who both played in the Asean Basketball League), Alamazan, Belga, Lee, Norwood, Standhardinger, Taulava, Tiu, and Yap. Only Clarkson and Erram don’t have this, but it shouldn’t be a factor.

It does help that head coach Yeng Guiao opted to select players he is familiar with and who have played together. Standhardinger doesn’t need plays called for him. He is a taller and more athletic version of former San Miguel Beerman Freddie Abuda albeit with an outside shot.

This team has height and a defensive presence. They’ve got offense and outside shooting. And now they have that blazing speed and ability to get to the rim with Clarkson on the roster.

Clarkson’s presence will be a huge boost to the team’s morale and confidence. He can shoot. In his four seasons so far in the NBA, he has averaged in double digits (14.1 points in 301 matches). You do not average in double figures if you aren’t good. He also has averaged 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists during those games. He will give a lot of open looks for Lee, Tiu, and Yap, and even gimmes for the bigs.

While not rated highly on defense, his athleticism allows him to rotate and recover.

The withdrawal of Palestine doesn’t change matters. A game against Kazakhstan cannot be taken lightly. China is always dangerous. They might be younger and have two young bucks in NBA players Ding Yanyuhang of the Dallas Mavericks and Zhou Qi of the Houston Rockets but that doesn’t make them any less a challenge.

One thing you have to consider when playing the Chinese or the Koreans is how they are like a machine when it comes to basketball. They are well-drilled and disciplined.

If any Asian foes thought that it would be smooth sailing to a gold medal then they have another thought coming.

Patch-up national team or not, one thing will be sure: all eyes — and I am not just saying Filipino eyes but everyone — will be watching the Philippine team.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.