Slaughter gets FIBA green light to play as local
Philippine team coach Yeng Guiao has a sigh of relief for now.
Seven-footer Greg Slaughter finally got a clearance from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to play as a local player for the fourth window of the FIBA Asian Qualifiers.
FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann sent the decision to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Sonny Barrios.
“After a thorough review of the documentation by your federation (SBP), FIBA exceptionally authorizes Gregory William Slaughter to play for the Philippine National team without restriction,” according to the FIBA letter to the SBP.
Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter (20) prepares to attack San Miguel Beer’s Christian Standhardinger during a PBA game. FILE PHOTO
Guiao will now have to choose between Stanley Pringle and Christian Standhardinger on who will be playing as a naturalized player.
But in a recent interview, Guiao said the two players would most likely play alternately in the Iran and Qatar game.
Slaughter is averaging 12.7 points and 7.9 rebounds last Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
SBP President Al Panlilio, for his part, expressed elation with the decision of FIBA.
“We are happy to announce to the entire basketball loving Filipinos that SBP’s push to FIBA to prove that Greg Slaughter is a pure Filipino has been recognized,” said Panlilio in a statement to the media.
“The SBP is elated with this development in our desire to come up with the best basketball roster for our flag and country. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.”
The Philippines will be facing Iran on September 13 in Tehran and Qatar on September 17 behind closed door at the Araneta Coliseum.
Guiao said that Matthew Wright and Japeth Aguilar could possibly play for the Qatar game after serving their FIBA one-game suspension in Iran.
“There is a big chance that they can play in the Qatar game although I’m not guaranteeing that’s 100 percent,” Guiao said.
Aguilar and Wright were suspended by the FIBA for one game for their involvement in the July 2 brawl between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
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