MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings center Greg Slaughter declared he is ready to get called up for Team Philippines duty after recovering from an injury.
Slaughter said he will definitely participate in the next window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup on Nov. 30 against Kazakhstan and on Dec. 3 against Iran.
“That’s also what I’ve had at the back of my mind. I’m not just aiming for the (2018 PBA Governors’ Cup) playoffs but also the next window for Gilas,” he said.
“I was kinda bummed out I wasn’t able to play the last time, but I learned a lot and I’m looking forward to play with the guys,” he added.
Slaughter marked his return to the court with 11 points and nine rebounds as Kings beat Magnolia Hotshots 93-86.
The 30-year-old was supposed to be back for the national team during the previous FIBA window in September but he sustained an ankle injury that kept him out from basketball for two months.
“Fortunately, we have been able to take care of business,” Slaughter said. “And also for Ginebra we were able to get good seeding. Fortunately, I didn’t have to hurry back and spent a little time getting my body stronger.”
Slaughter is one of the centers Team Philippines head coach Yeng Guiao is eyeing for the next FIBA window, aside from San Miguel Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo and Ateneo Blue Eaglets’ Kai Sotto.
Also set to rejoin the national team pool are naturalized center Andray Blatche, Jeth Troy Rosario, Jayson Castro, and Terrence Romeo, who have all served their suspensions by then.
Guiao is set to present a new pool of between 18 to 20 players before the PBA board under chairman Ricky Vargas in a special meeting on Nov. 6 at the league office in Libis, Quezon City.
Team Philippines is currently on third place in Group F with a 5-3 card behind Australia (7-1) and Iran (6-2). Only the top seven countries from two groups after the second round will advance to the FIBA World Cup in China next year./PN
