Slaughter begs off from HK tilt, joins China hoop event instead

CEBU - University of the Visayas (UV) star center Greg Slaughter will not be able to join the CESAFI All-Star squad that will see action in the 17th Kung Sheung International Basketball Invitational Championships in Hong Kong next week as he will be donning the national colors under the aegis of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) in a separate tournament in China.

Initially, Slaughter was among those tabbed to make up the CESAFI selection for the Hong Kong joust set December 16 to 21, but the UV management politely begged off after getting an invite from the SBP top officials for the 6-foot-11 Fil-Am giant to form part of the national team that will compete in the Asean-CBO Men’s Basketball Invitational set on December 17-21 in Pingguo, Guanxi, China.

"I got a call from SBP executive director Noli Eala requesting me, in behalf of SBP president Manny Pangilinan, if Slaughter could play for the national team," said Cebu First District Rep. and UV president Eduardo "Eddiegul" R. Gullas. "Didi Gullas just gave the go signal for Slaughter to play in the China tournament," he added, referring to his son and UV Green Lancers team manager Gerald Anthony "Didi" S. Gullas.

The China event is the first international competition that SBP is sending its national pool under the watchful eyes of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.

Although they have prior commitment to the CESAFI, Gullas said they have to accord utmost importance to the China trip as the national players will be fighting for the flag and country.

"With Slaughter being part of the national team, it will be an honor not only for UV, but also for Cebu," said Gullas.

The 19-year-old Slaughter etched his name in CESAFI history this year by becoming the first ever player to sweep the regular season, All-Star, and Finals MVP awards as well as the 'Slam Dunk' title in a single season.

Slaughter made his debut in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) last week, but they were booted out in the first round by the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 62-68.

In Slaughter's stead, CESAFI selection head coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug of the UV Green Lancers has tapped rookie Fil-Australian forward John Emel Rowe of the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, according to CESAFI commissioner Felix "Boy" O. Tiukinhoy, Jr.

Aside from Slaugher, University of Cebu's 6-foot-9 skyscraper Jun Mar Fajardo has also been named to the SBP national team pool. As of the moment though, there is no official word yet whether he will also be inserted to the RP quintet for the China trip. — EBV (THE FREEMAN)