San Miguel Corp. lends 8 players to Gilas

Clockwise from top left: Christian Standhardinger, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, Greg Slaughter, Paul Lee, and Ian Sangalang.

MANILA – After criticism that it is not supporting the national basketball team, San Miguel Corp. allowed eight of its players to join Gilas Pilipinas in the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifier on Sept. 13 and 17.

They include Christian Standhardinger, Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter of San Miguel Beermen; Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson and Greg Slaughter of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings; and Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang of Magnolia Hotshots.

Gilas will open the second round of the Qualifier against three-time Asian men’s basketball champion Iran on Sept. 14 in Tehran before hosting Qatar in a closed-door game on Sept. 17.

Beermen head coach Leo Austria said he would have lent June Mar Fajardo had the latter not sustained an injury late in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

“We’re so happy (to lend players), especially the management,” said Austria. “Ever since there was a Gilas team, we’re told by the management and RSA (Ramon S. Ang, CEO of San Miguel Corp.) that if the national team wants our players, we should let them go.”

“There won’t be roadblocks for them,” Austria added. “Even June Mar (Fajardo) is so frustrated because he’s thinking of the next window and the heart of the guy is in the national team.”

For his part Kings coach Tim Cone said lending players to Gilas is beneficial for his squad in the long run.

“If they want three or four more guys, I’d be happy to give it to them,” Cone said.

He added: “From a coaching standpoint I’m happy to get them playing internationally because when they come back, they’re a lot better and a lot more confident.

“I think that guys get better when they play internationally. I think that it would be a great confidence-booster and great experience for those guys. I’m all for it.”/PN

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