Gilas Pilipinas head coach Yeng Guiao wanted to name the lineup for the first window of the second round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers as soon as possible. However, Guiao and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are still facing questions regarding the eligibility of three of their players.
The SBP is still looking into the classification for Greg Slaughter, Stanley Pringle, and Christian Standhardinger. Are they seen as local or are they naturalized?
“Meron nang lineup pero there are still issues, which prevents me from making the final lineup tonight,” Guiao said after Gilas’ practice at the Meralco Gym, Monday.
“We have to be certain on the situation of Greg, Christian, and Stanley.”
Pringle and Standhardinger are seen by FIBA as naturalized players, as they only secured their Philippine visas after the age of 16. Slaughter’s case, on the other hand, is still unknown.
If worse comes to worst, Guiao will have to decide whether he will plug Standhardinger, Pringle, or Slaughter as the National Team’s designated naturalized player.
“If we’re not able to complete the documents of Greg, lalong hihirap yung situation natin because we have to choose between those three guys who we will designate as our naturalized player.
“Yun ang hanging ngayon, yung tatlo. We hope we can make them play as locals, as Filipinos. But hindi pa natin naaayos yung mga eligibility nila to play as Filipinos as of this point,” lamented Guiao.
Slaughter is confident that his parents have his papers. Now, it’s all about making it in time.
“Meron pang mga papeles, may documents pa na nire-require yung FIBA ngayon. Those documents have not yet been completed.”
