Slaughter out of Gilas 5

GREG Slaughter, the 7-foot Barangay Ginebra behemoth, was pronounced out of the Gilas Pilipinas pool for good by coach Tab Baldwin yesterday after medical reports showed that he needs surgery to correct an ankle injury that has hobbled him all season long in the PBA.

Slaughter is just one of two players that has been declared out for the team that will try to nail an Olympic slot in a qualifying tournament set July 5 to 11, with Tropang TNT’s defensive whiz Matt Ganuelas-Rosser already having surgery to repair an ankle injury.

“Every player under my responsibility and has an injury is a concern,” Baldwin told reporters during resumption of the pool’s practice yesterday at Meralco gym. “I’m concerned for them as people, for their careers, for their opportunities. I’m concerned that they can’t realize their ambitions to be part of Gilas this year.”

Slaughter would have added a lot of ceiling to the Gilas squad that will play France and The Netherlands in the first phase of the tournament, set at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The Gin Kings star said that the injury was what kept him out in the early part of the Commissioner’s Cup.

“I told them that if they want to be here, help out in training and rehab with us, they’re welcome,” Baldwin said. “They are our players. They are not excluded in any other way other than by injury.”

Baldwin resumed practice for the Nationals for the first time since April 11 with 12 players showing up, counting Bobby Ray Parks, a veteran of the NBA D-League and son of seven-time Best Import Bobby Parks.

“It’s a humbling experience, privilege talaga, tulad ng sabi ni coach [Tab Baldwin], na makapasok lang sa pool,” said Parks, who looked at home with the pros in practice.

“I’ve played with NBA guys, and the PBA is the same thing as professionals so I’m well adjusted,” he said.

Slaughter showed up for training but left after talking to Baldwin.

Others in attendance were Jason Castro, Marc Pingris, Ranidel de Ocampo, Terrence Romeo, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, Ryan Reyes, Mo Tautuaa and reigning two-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo.

Cadet team star Keifer Ravena was the only amateur present.

Other pool members belonging to Rain or Shine and Alaska are expected to join the team later this week after the Elasto Painters and the Aces conclude their Commissioner’s Cup title series.

Andray Blatche, the country’s naturalized center, has begged off from immediately joining the pool to be with his ailing mother in the United States.