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    With Slaughter cleared, Guiao chooses between CSH, Pringle as naturalized player

    One less problem for the national coach
    Sep 8, 2018
    Who will coach Yeng Guiao choose?
    PHOTO: Marlo Cueto

    TEAM Pilipinas coach Yeng Guiao is worried of his two big men in Greg Slaughter and Christian Standhardinger as they brace for tough Asian rival Iran led by star Hamed Haddadi in their FIBA World Qualifiers match on September 13 in Tehran.

    For the past practices, Slaughter has been sidelined due to his ankle injury, while Standhardinger missed the last two trainings due to a bum stomach, which makes Guiao concerned of the two centers as they only have a tune-up game against Asia League representatives, the IECO Green Warrios, and a Monday morning practice before they leave for Tehran at night.

    Guiao was relieved after the eligibility of Slaughter as a local was approved by FIBA but he is also hoping that the 7-foot big man can pass through another hurdle.

    “Worried ako doon ‘yun ang next problem. Is he (Slaughter) going to get enough practice before the game?” the Philippine coach told SPIN.ph. “‘Yun lang ang worry ko because he has to rest that ankle. So the next problem or the next concern now, is he going to be game-ready by the 13th? And importante siya sa match-up natin against Haddadi.”

    Another thing that makes Guiao worried is the health of Standhardinger, who had an impressive stint in the recently concluded 18th Asian Games.

    “I’m really concerned about is Christian Standhardinger, the last two days may sakit siya. I think he’s having stomach problems so again in our match-up against Haddadi he’s going to be important so the big men are having problems with their health right now,” he said.

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      With a hectic schedule and limited preparation in taking a daunting task against Iran, Guiao said that every practice counts.

      “The bigger problem is they’re not able to practice, one day of practice is really important for us dahil masyadong maikli nga ‘yung panahon,” he added. “Dalawa nga’ yung concern natin, ngayon nabawasan na ng isa ‘yung status ni Greg pero ‘yung health naman ni Greg at ni Christian.”

      On a positive note, Guiao was happy with the approval of Slaughter’s eligibility as a local as he just has to pick between Standhardinger or Stanley Pringle as their naturalized player in the final roster, which will be revealed when they arrive in Tehran.

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      “But that’s really good news, it’s something that has been occupying our minds the past few days and it’s good he can play as a local,” Guiao said. “That means, we only have to choose between Stanley and Christian on who will play as naturalized player again that decision is going to be made in Iran already.”

      The national team coach also appreciates the dedication of Slaughter to attend practices despite limping with his ankle injury just to learn the plays by watching his squad train.

      “He’s been really consistent with his attendance kahit hindi siya nakakalaro but he’s been watching practices, he’s been absorbing and learning the plays and the system,” Guiao said. “So by the time he goes on the floor siguro hindi na ganoon katagal bago niya maabsorb lahat.”

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      Who will coach Yeng Guiao choose?
      PHOTO: Marlo Cueto
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