Go ahead, revoke my license

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel rookie center Greg Slaughter is standing by his decision not to try out for a place in the Gilas Pilipinas team that will compete in the FIBA World Cup in Spain in August despite a congressman’s call to have his playing license revoked.

“The situation seems getting to be blown out. I just don’t want to be a distraction to the Gilas Pilipinas training,” said Slaughter who was the No. 1 overall pick in the last PBA draft.

Greg Slaughter

“I don’t think I’ve done something wrong,” he said in an interview yesterday. “I’ve already made up my mind and my reason still stands. I hope everyone understands my decision.”

Slaughter said the 12 original players of the Gilas team which placed second in the FIBA Asia championship that earned the trip to Spain must go as they deserved to represent the country for their sacrifice.

Slaughter and four other players were named as possible replacements to some members of the Gilas team to the World Cup and to the Asian Games in September.

But he and another player, San Miguel Beer’s Marcio Lassiter, begged off from the tryouts last Friday. Lassiter also shared Slaughter’s reason for skipping the tryout.

This prompted Rep. Elpidio Barzaga of Cavite to tell the Games and Amusements board to revoke their playing licenses. PBA players, like other professional athletes in the country, must have GAB licenses to ply their trades.

Lassiter could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Both the 7-foot Slaughter, and the 6-2 Lassiter had previous Gilas experience having played with the original Smart Gilas Pilipinas under Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman.

They were named to the pool along with Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee and Beau Belga and Meralco’s Jared Dillinger to the 17-man national pool by coach Chot Reyes last week.

GAB Chairman Ramon Guanzon was also not available for comment.

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, a colleague of Barzaga at the House of Representatives, said he shared sentiments of the Cavite congressman but he stressed that revoking of the GAB license is “extreme”.

“I respect the opinion of Cong. Barzaga, he understands the game, and he understands as well the situation of the parties concerned. I have the highest respect for his appreciations of the circumstances surrounding the issue. I understand his nationalistic fervor with that proposal and suggestion to revoke the license,” said Guiao.

“That’s the extreme solution. Playing for the national team is a duty to every citizen to serve the country.

Looking at that point of view, they have to present a better reason why they are pulling out. Sa tingin ko, hindi na dapat dumating sa kailangan pa i-revoke ‘yung license nila.”

“Siguro, on the part of the players, they really have just to justify why they are passing off the opportunity.

Alam ko kasi ang mga players, a lot of them are concerned about some injuries, and they are tired. But you also have to weigh all that when it comes to the national team. Baka nakulangan lang si Cong. Barzaga sa explanation. But once an understanding is reach, it can be resolved,” added Guiao, who coached the all-PBA national team back in 2009 FIBA Asia Championship.

Angara said Slaughter and Lassiter have a valid point for withdrawing.

“Si Lassiter injured siya while si Slaughter ayaw niyang galawin yung chemistry nung 12. I don’t know kung may ibang reason talaga, but taking it on face value, reasonable naman talaga. Kung ayaw talaga nila, wala tayong magagawa,” he said. via Interaksyon