TEAM PILIPINAS GETS MAJOR BREAK

Fiba approves SBP’s request to field Greg Slaughter as a local in World Cup qualifiers

Cebuano slotman Greg Slaughter is all pumped up to represent Team Pilipinas in the second round of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers after being cleared by Fiba to play for the Philippines as a local.

The national team has a lone naturalized player spot for the Sept. 13 match against Iran and the closed-door home game against Qatar on Sept. 17.

The approval of Slaughter to play as local means that national coach Yeng Guiao is left to pick either Christian Standhardinger or Stanley Pringle for the one naturalized player spot.

The world’s governing body for basketball Fiba has cleared the 7-foot Slaughter to play for the Philippine national team without restriction after acting on documents passed by the Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

The prerequisite for dual citizens is for the player to secure a passport before turning 16 years old. Slaughter failed to secure his passport but Fiba acknowledged that he got his passport at 17 years old and moved to Cebu with his family at 19.

The former University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers stalwart and Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Most Valuable Player Slaughter was elated with this recent development from Fiba. “I just found out Fiba has ap- proved my eligibility as a local. Couldn’t be happier about this, thank you to SBP and Fiba for paving the way. I’m looking forward to beginning a wonderful journey with the national team. Para sa bayan,” Slaughter posted on his Twitter account.

The concern now for Guiao is the ankle injury of Slaughter, who watched on the sidelines during the team’s practice at the Meralco Gym and FCL Center last Friday and Saturday.

The Brgy. Ginebra center hurt his ankle in a game against Northport in the PBA Governors’ Cup last Wednesday night.

“Ang inaalala ko lang is if he would be in a good shape to be able to run up and down and do physical demands of guarding (Hamed) Haddadi,” Guaio told Spin.ph.

Team Pilipinas will leave for Tehran, Iran on Monday. /

Couldn’t be happier about this... I’m looking forward to beginning a wonderful journey with the national team.

GREG SLAUGHTER