GREG Slaughter is one player Yeng Guiao loves to bring aboard Gilas Pilipinas’ next mission in the coming window of the FIBA Asia World Cup qualifier.
But the center’s eligibility has somewhat derailed the pinch-hitting coach’s plans of baring the Final 12 during their first official workout late Monday night at the Meralco Gym.
“There are still issues which prevent me from naming the final lineup. We have to be certain on the situation of Greg, Christian (Standhardinger) and Stanley (Pringle). If we’re not able to complete the documents of Greg, the situation will become much difficult because we have to choose among those three guys who we will designate as our naturalized players,” Guiao told sportswriters.
“We hope we can make them play as locals and Filipinos, but we’re not able to fix their eligibilities as Filipinos as of this point.”
Slaughter played for the national team for many years as a member of the amateur-laden SMART-Gilas Pilipinas, including the Asian Games, SEABA and Stankovic Cup. But he was barred from playing in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship as only Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz were given the go signal by the organizers at that time.
“There are still papers needed. Those documents have not been completed yet,” added Guiao.
Slaughter said he had informed his relatives in the United States to submit the necessary documents that may allow him to play as a local player for this new batch of national squad to be handled by pinch-hitting mentor Guiao in lieu of suspended coach Chot Reyes.
“I just got to get some documents back in the States right now. Hopefully, my parents can send them over. Hopefully, I’ll be eligible,” added Slaughter. — Rey Joble
