MANILA, Philippines -- As it stands, Andray Blatche will serve as the Philippines' naturalized player when Gilas Pilipinas competes in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China later this year.

But the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and national team coach Yeng Guiao are not losing hope that Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson can still play for Gilas Pilipinas as a local.

Clarkson had made his debut for the Philippine national team in the 2018 Asian Games, having been granted permission to wear the national team colors after a long, complicated process.

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"All of us want Jordan Clarkson in the team, every single one of us," Guiao said Thursday as the national team was feted for qualifying to the World Cup. "It's really up to our bosses what we can do about it."

"Ako, wala akong magagawa doon pero gusto ko andiyan siya," added the coach, who had nothing but words of praise for Clarkson following the Cleveland guard's performance for the Philippines in the Asiad last year.

According to SBP President Al Panlilio, they have yet to contact Clarkson about his participation in the FIBA World Cup. However, the Fil-Am guard has made it clear that he wants to suit up for the Philippines.

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A post shared by Jordan Clarkson (@jordanclarksons) on Feb 25, 2019 at 7:57pm PST

"Jordan Clarkson came up with a statement already via his Instagram account that you know, a congratulations and he wanted to see his brothers in China. So we hear everybody," said Panlilio. "We know what everybody wants and I just hope we can make it."

"We'll exert our best efforts for Jordan," he guaranteed.

SBP Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan backed up Panlilio, saying they will do their best to convince FIBA to allow Clarkson to play as a local.

However, he also warned that "there are no assurances, no guarantees."

"We're there, we're committed to doing our best to get Jordan to join this team in China," said Pangilinan. "(But) in the end, it's up to FIBA to make that decision."

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