Slaughter gets nod to play?

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo’s bid to parade Greg Slaughter in its four-peat drive in the coming UAAP Season 74 supposedly got a boost after the league’s eligibility committee reportedly gave the seven-foot behemoth the green light to suit up.

Although no official word from the five-man eligibility committee, headed by Lailani Gonzalo of University of the Philippines, came out after yesterday’s meeting, social media and internet sites were abuzz that the transferee from University of the Visayas had hurdled the first obstacle to getting the permission to play.

Adding to the fire was Slaughter’s own posting on his Facebook account, saying: “Just got word that I am cleared to play in this year’s UAAP!”

Members of the eligibility committee or other league officials are apparently keeping mum on the issue, preferring to make public whatever was decided until after the matter is resolved with finality in a board meeting on July 5.

Asked about Slaughter’s supposed clearance from the screening body, Ateneo team manager Paolo Trillo said: “We couldn’t comment on that since we’ve not really received anything official. It’s still wait-and-see until July 5.”

Slaughter’s eligibility for the coming season came under question because of his stint with Smart Gilas in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup while serving residency period with Ateneo.

Critics said this violated league rules barring athletes undergoing residency requirements from playing in another team in any league.

But Ateneo maintained that Gilas being the national team should not be covered in this prohibition.

Slaughter has completed his one-year residency required for transferees. But according to a source, Ateneo reportedly failed to ask the UAAP for permission to allow the former Lancer to play for Smart Gilas in the 2010 Guangzhou Asiad squad.

A clear violation of residency rules is equivalent to a penalty of another year, said the source. This would prevent Slaughter, who led UV to four straight championships, from joining the Eagles in their quest for a four-peat feat this year.

The said committee is also expected to tackle National U’s celebrated Fil-Am rookie Bobby “Ray Ray” Parks Jr.’s status.

The board, incidentally, is also composed of representatives from UP, La Salle, Far Eastern U, Adamson and Ateneo. But Ateneo would have to inhibit itself should the Slaughter case be brought up.