By JOAQUIN HENSON
The Philippine Star

PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad on Sunday welcomed the application of Fil-Am cagers Remington Chun and Jason Jackson to the league’s draft in September as he opened the doors to more outstanding overseas prospects like Gabe Norwood.

Trinidad said the PBL does not require Fil-Am applicants to submit clearances from the Bureau of Immigration and Department of Justice (DOJ), unlike the PBA. Only the birth certificates of their Filipino parents are necessary.

Chun, 24, arrived in Manila last week to play for Ilocos Sur in Liga Pilipinas and his Los Angeles-based agent Roger Jimenez told The STAR the other day he will definitely apply in the PBL draft. Jimenez said Jackson, 24, will forego playing in Liga and apply directly in the PBL draft.

Trinidad said Norwood, who has played for the Philippine team, left Manila for the US last month unsure of returning. His clearance is still pending with the DOJ and it’s not certain if he will be eligible for the PBA draft next month.

“Gabe was an exemplary player and a role model in the PBL,” said Trinidad. “I can understand why he feels exasperated. He wants to play in the PBA but now, it’s not sure if he can.”

Trinidad said if Norwood is not able to get his DOJ clearance, he will try to play instead in the National Basketball League of Australia, where PBL MVP Jason Castro is seeing action next season.

“I’ve spoken with (PBA) commissioner (Sonny) Barrios about Gabe’s case,” said Trinidad. “There’s no doubt he has Filipino blood. He has Filipino relatives to prove it. The paperwork shouldn’t be a hindrance because he already has a Filipino passport. I’ve offered to bring his case up to Malacañang. If Alex Crisano was able to get his clearance from Malacañang, surely Gabe is also deserving of recognition because of his performance with the national team. I’m hoping (Executive) Secretary (Eduardo) Ermita will help Gabe. It would be a pity if the PBA loses the chance to get a player of his caliber and attitude.”

As for Chun and Jackson, Trinidad said he is awaiting the submission of their parents’ birth certificates from Jimenez.

The 6-4, 220-pound Chun played for Notre Dame De Namur University in Belmont, California, the same school that produced PBA star Nic Belasco. He was born and raised in Oahu, Hawaii. His father Vance Leland, a parking lot manager, is Chinese and his mother Melissa, a housekeeper/nanny, is Filipina.

“My impression of Philippine basketball is the guys play aggressively and with a lot of heart,” said Chun. “I love that. They play at a high level of competition. They have great fans. I’ll try to fit in. I pattern my game after players like Paul Pierce, Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade so it’s a style I’m sure the fans will enjoy.”

Chun said his immediate goal is to make an impact in Liga. “Hopefully, I’ll have a long career in the Philippines and win championships,” he continued. “If I get the opportunity to play for the national team, that would be an honor to represent the Philippines and get a medal.”

Chun, a sociology major with a minor in criminal justice, said he’s dedicating his basketball career in the Philippines to his girlfriend – “she’s in California, sad to see me leave but proud of me” – and his brother who is a cancer survivor.

In one of his most memorable games, Chun shot 19 points, including 3-of-5 triples, and grabbed nine rebounds in Notre Dame’s 83-53 win over Pacific Union in 2005-06. He also shot 14 points, including 7-of-8 free throws, in the Argonauts’ 66-52 decision over Menlo that season.

Jackson is a 6-2, 190-pound guard from Western New Mexico University. He was born in Clark Air Base in Angeles City to Marc Kevin Jackson of Washington D. C. and Biolita Adizas of Manila. Jackson was four years old when his family relocated to Japan before settling in the US.

As a Western New Mexico senior in 2006-07, Jackson averaged nine points under coach Mark Coleman.

“I play point guard but I’m comfortable playing offguard, too,” said Jackson. “I’ve watched PBA games in the internet. My father remembers watching San Miguel games when he was based in the Philippines. I like the PBA style which is up and down and physical.”

Jackson said his unforgettable moment in basketball came in his freshman year at Western New Mexico. “We were a very young team with a new coach,” he recalled. “I scored over 20 points beating a team that was ranked in the nation at the time. My goal is to ultimately play in the PBA. But my first step is to play in the PBL. I play an exciting brand of ball like Kobe Bryant, Jordan and Jason Williams. I hope to play many years of basketball in the Philippines.”