GAB nixes revoking licenses

MANILA, Philippines - Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon said the other day there is “no cogent reason” to suspend or revoke the professional licenses of Marcio Lassiter and Greg Slaughter for declining the invitation to join the Gilas pool for the FIBA World Cup in Spain on Aug. 30-Sept. 14.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes recently named Lassiter and Slaughter to the national team pool after receiving the go-signal from the PBA Board of Governors to augment the lineup for the World Cup. Reyes also added Paul Lee and Jared Dillinger to the cast which was originally made up of Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Larry Fonacier, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gary David, JuneMar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, L. A. Tenorio, Japeth Agular, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Beau Belga and Marcus Douthit for last year’s FIBA-Asia Championships. If Andray Blatche’s naturalization is approved by legislation before the FIBA deadline of July 15 to submit the initial 24-man roster, he will be included in the lineup.

After Lassiter and Slaughter were named by Reyes, they begged off. Rep. Elpidio Barzaga of Cavite, the chairman of the House Committee on Games and Amusements, reacted by calling on the GAB to investigate the pull-out.

To get to the bottom of the withdrawal, Guanzon sent letters to Lassiter and Slaughter asking them to explain their side. Lassiter replied in a letter dated last March 12 and cited a slew of injuries that prevent him from making a commitment with Gilas. The injuries include a fractured hand, a recurring hamstring strain, persistent back pain and a hyper-extension on his right knee.

“As I continue to receive regular treatment for these injuries and considering the demands of playing with an elite squad of the country’s best, against the best teams in the world, I believe in my heart that I am not fit enough to contribute as much as I would want to our team,” said Lassiter. “As a member of the original Gilas team, I feel proud of how the current members of the team achieved what we failed to do – and that is to qualify for the World Championships. It would be unfair to the guys who earned a spot for us in Spain and already sacrificed a lot beforehand if we took over their slots. Given different circumstances, I would proudly and gladly don our national colors because I believe that serving our country is a privilege and honor.”

Slaughter said he gave early notice of his withdrawal to Reyes and made himself available for future national teams if picked again. “I believe that the current members of the team have earned their slots to make it to Spain and Korea,” he said. “After bringing honor to our country by making it to the World Cup, I believe they are more deserving of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I believe that the players of the national team, who have trained and competed together to win this honor, have established their own chemistry and would like to compete again as one unit. I also do not wish to disrupt or change the dynamics and chemistry they have been developed on and off the hardcourt.”

Slaughter told the GAB that he never challenged the government agency’s authority to revoke his license. He said playing with Gilas in 2009-11 was an “unforgettable experience” and “that is why I understand the importance of being part of a well-knit and well-prepared team (and) I hope that by this decision, I am helping provide the same opportunity I enjoyed back then, to those who are more capable and deserving today.”

Guanzon said the GAB undertook an inquiry to determine if there was basis to conduct revocation proceedings but found none. “We impose disciplinary sanctions on professional athletes who commit unsportsmanlike conduct or are involved in dishonest or fraudulent practice such as game-fixing,” said the chairman. “We also deny licenses to or revoke existing ones of athletes who fail in any of our medical examinations or turn positive in the use of prohibited drugs.”

Guanzon said the participation of professional athletes in the FIBA World Cup is not within the GAB’s jurisdiction. “In an unofficial capacity, we have advised Mr. Lassiter and Mr. Slaughter and also advise all professional athletes in general to seriously consider opportunities such as this,” he continued. “This will not only serve to strengthen the national effort to win international competitions but will also avoid any possible disillusion among avid followers of the sport. The performance of athletes is largely dependent on their personal motivation to play for the team to the best of their abilities. If the athletes concerned are, early in the selection process, already pronouncing their misgivings in their inclusion to the team, then it is hard to expect them later on to play with all their heart and mind.”

Both Lassiter and Slaughter said their decision was theirs alone. “I have discussed this at length with my wife and family and I am thankful for their support,” said Lassiter. “I would like to say that speculation that the San Miguel team influenced my decision is unfair as our management has actually been very supportive of my possible entry with Gilas, the same way they remain supportive of other players in our sister teams who are actually joining the team.”

Slaughter said San Miguel management encouraged him to join the pool. “Reports that it was our team’s management which decided for me not to participate are outright false and very unfair,” he said. “Our management has been very supportive of the national team, as demonstrated by their willingness to lend some of the organization’s best and more experienced players like L. A. Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, JuneMar Fajardo and Marc Pingris.”

GAB commissioner Fritz Gaston, a former PBA player, said licenses cannot be revoked on the basis of withdrawing from the national pool. “The only time (for revocation) is game-fixing, health and intentional dangerous dirty plays,” he said.