MANILA – Team Philippines will be short in height as they tangle with Qatar in a closed-door match of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifier on Monday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Greg Slaughter, a 7-foot center, was ruled out for the match scheduled at 7:30 p.m. as he was unable to participate in team practices due to his ankle injury.
Filipino-German center Christian Standhardinger, on the other hand, will also sit out the match. Head coach Yeng Guiao chose Filipino-American guard Stanley Pringle as naturalized player.
“Nasabi ko naman na dati na mag-a-alternate si Christian at Stanley,” Guiao said. “So as good as Christian played in the first game, I think we have to give Stanley a chance naman to prove himself also.”
Raymond Maliksi and Allein Maliksi have been removed from the lineup as well.
Aside from Pringle, also set to be activated by Guiao for the all-important match were Japeth Aguilar and Matthew Wright, who replaced Raymond Almazan and Allein Maliksi.
Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter are still part of the 12-man roster despite their subpar showing against Iran along with Earl Scottie Thompson, Ian Sangalang, Beau Belga, John Paul Erram Asi Taulava, Paul Lee, and Gabe Norwood.
“I stand by Alex and Marcio. The more I see them play in practices and in games, the more I believe that they belong in the national team,” Guiao said. “Nanibago lang siguro sila. I don’t blame them for the loss against Iran.”
Team Philippines are aiming at a top-three finish in Group F for an automatic berth in the 2019 World Cup in China. They are currently on third place with a 4-3 card behind Australia and Iran, both with 6-1./PN
