‘Swollen’ ankle forces Slaughter to miss PH game vs Iran

Greg Slaughter, left, challenges the defense of Barangay Ginebra teammate Japeth Aguilar during national team practice on September 3, 2018, at Meralco Gym. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Greg Slaughter said his ankle injury kept him out of the Philippine men’s basketball team’s final 12-man lineup against Iran in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Slaughter tweaked his left ankle exactly a week ago late in Barangay Ginebra’s win over NorthPort in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup.

The 7-foot Slaughter, who would’ve been the country’s best matchup against Iran’s 7-foot-2 giant Hamed Haddadi, said in a post on Twitter that his ankle remains “swollen” and that it’s best to allow it to fully heal.

pic.twitter.com/fRENaIzkyB

— Greg Slaughter (@GWillSlaughter) September 12, 2018

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio announced the final roster on Wednesday morning.

Fil-German big man Christian Standhardinger will be leading the squad along with Gilas first-timers Alex Cabagnot and Scottie Thompson and the returning Marcio Lassiter.

Rounding out the team are national team rookie Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, Allein Maliksi, Asi Taulava, JP Erram, Beau Belga and Raymond Almazan.

The Filipinos take on the Iranians on Thursday, 8:30 p.m. (Manila time), at Azady Gym in Tehran.