FIL-Aussie guard Jordan Heading has been caught in a tug-of-war between the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Taiwanese team Taichung.
A Gilas Pilipinas national team pool member, Heading is set to bring his act to T1 after he signed with the Suns last week, but the SBP cried foul and insisted Heading has a “live legal contract” with the cage body.
“We have formally written the FIBA and the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association in connection with the reported playing in Taiwan for the Taichung Suns of Mr. Jordan Timothy Heading and have informed them that Mr. Heading has a ‘live’ legal contract with the SBP until March 2023,” the SBP said in a statement.
But Taichung maintained its signing of the 6-foot-2 Heading is legal.
“We hereby declare that the contract signed between the Taichung Suns and Jordan Heading is in compliance with the legal requirements and all comply with FIBA’s transfer-related regulations,” the ballclub said in a short statement last Sunday.
Heading, a lefty who emerged as the top pick in the special Gilas draft last March by Terrafirma, said he is aching to suit up for the Suns.
“I’m Jordan Heading. Super excited to be heading back to Taichung. Really excited to work with the boys and meet the fans,” Heading said. “Thank you and let’s go Taichung!”
Heading played for the all-amateur Philippine five in the third window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Clark where the team completed an emphatic 3-0 sweep and 6-0 record overall where he averaged 6.5 points and 1.5 assists.
A product of California Baptist University, Heading also played for the Philippine youth team in 2011.
