Jordan Heading, known for his prowess as a versatile guard, has been notably absent from the Gilas Pilipinas roster despite earlier expectations.
Scheduled to join Strong Group-Philippines for the upcoming 43rd William Jones Cup, the Filipino-Australian sharpshooter clarified his decision to decline an invitation to play in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) with Gilas Pilipinas.
Citing personal reasons, Heading revealed that he and his wife have been undergoing fertility treatments, which conflicted with the timing of Gilas’ call-up. Despite being contacted by Gilas head coach Tim Cone to replace the injured Scottie Thompson, Heading explained, “Unfortunately, he called at the very last minute, and we were in the middle of our last cycle with the fertility specialist, so I couldn’t leave mid-cycle.”
Expressing regret over the timing, Heading emphasized his efforts to accommodate Gilas’ request but found it logistically impossible. “I tried everything I could to make it work, but it was just a little bit too late.”
Despite this setback, Heading remains optimistic about future opportunities with the national team. “Hopefully, in the future windows, they still want me, you know? Hopefully we can figure that out,” he remarked.
Family remains a top priority for Heading, as he clarified to coach Tim Cone, “If it was something else, I would have made it work, but family comes first.”
Acknowledging the personal sacrifice of not representing his country at the FIBA OQT, Heading assured his support for Gilas Pilipinas as they prepare to face Latvia and Georgia. “Take care of business boys,” he encouraged them, “we will all be watching here in the Philippines and we’re always cheering for you guys.”
Looking back, Heading reflected on his previous stints with Gilas, highlighting his contributions in the 2021 FIBA OQT and the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Despite the current setback, Jordan Heading’s dedication to family and commitment to future opportunities with Gilas Pilipinas underscore his resilience and unwavering support for Philippine basketball.
