Slaughter pulls out of Gilas pool

MANILA, Philippines – Greg Slaughter, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 PBA draft, has withdrawn from the Gilas Pilipinas pool on Friday.

Slaughter announced his withdrawal in front of sport scribes covering the San Miguel-Meralco game in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup.

The Ginebra center was among the four names added to the 16-man Gilas pool, which includes new additions Paul Lee of Rain or Shine, Jared Dillinger of Meralco and Marcio Lassiter of San Miguel Beer.

Slaughter said Gilas’ original 12 members, who competed and finished with a silver in last year's FIBA Asia Championship, should be the ones who should participate in the FIBA World Cup in Spain this year.

He added that he had already informed Gilas coach Chot Reyes of his decision to withdraw from the pool.

The 7-foot Slaughter had been a vital cog for Barangay Ginebra in the recent Philippine Cup, even leading the Rookie of the Year race so far due to his scoring and rebounding averages.