PHI - No Slaughter, Lassiter for Gilas

MANILA (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Greg Slaughter and Marcio Lassiter have declined a chance to be a part of the Philippines team that will compete at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The two were named in Chot Reyes' preliminary squad but neither will take part and for the same reason.

The two believe the 12 players that gave their all at last year's FIBA Asia Championship in Manila and reached the Final to qualify for Spain 2014 have earned the right to compete in Spain, where the Philippines will play in Preliminary Round Group B against Argentina, Greece, Croatia, Puerto Rico and Senegal.

"I know the feeling of people coming into something you've already started," said the 24-year-old Slaughter, a 2.13m center.

"I think what they started back in August, I think those 12 should be the ones to go on and represent the country.

"I just feel like it's right that the people who started that, they worked so hard, I think they deserve this."

Slaughter, who plays for Barangay Ginebra, was among the final cuts from last year's squad.

The 26-year-old Lassiter is on the books of San Miguel Beermen.

The 1.88m guard/forward is a terrific shooter.

"It wouldn't feel right for me to take away from players who deserved it," he said.

"The guys who've been through the battles and wars, they deserve it.

"I feel like they have some unfinished business in Spain."

Slaughter says that Reyes is understanding.

"He was the first person I talked to about it," Slaughter said.

"Coach Chot is a very understanding person. He respected my decision and he said it was okay."

Other players to have been named in the preliminary squad who didn't feature last summer are Paul Lee, Beau Belga and Jared Dillinger.

There is also a possibility that Brooklyn Nets center Andray Blatche will suit up for the Philippines.

Last week, the House committee on justice in the Philippines approved a bill for for his naturalization of Blatche although that process is ongoing.

FIBA