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Marcial says PBA board looks at possibility of lifting "one player per team" rule for Gilas

Will we finally see Greg Slaughter back at the Gilas pool? Denver Lachica (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG--In the current setup between the PBA and the SBP, the 12 member teams are requested to lend only one PBA veteran and one member of the 2016 Gilas Cadets to the national team pool.

However, with the challenge of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers somehow mandating the SBP to bring out its strongest Gilas lineup possible to each game, the need to look at the clubs with multiple stars arises. Thus, the possibility of lifting the said rule surfaces.

And OIC Commissioner Willie Marcial hinted on Monday night that the league board is looking at that option.

"Baka magulat kayo, biglang mag-propose sila wala nang limit ang players pag kinuha. Pwede mangyari ‘yun," Marcial told the reporters present at the weekly practice at the Meralco Gym on Monday night.

However, he clarified, "Wala pang sinasabi si Coach [Chot Reyes] as of now. Wala pang pinaguusapan [na request]."

Regardless of whether the player limit will be lifted or not, Marcial insisted that the PBA will fully support Gilas.

"Ang PBA, 100 percent susuportahan yan," he continued. "Talagang all-out ang PBA diyan."

The PBA board will convene on Jan. 25 to discuss various matters around the league, which could include the lifting of the player limit rule.

Once approved, the SBP will have a chance to bring in Greg Slaughter, Paul Lee, and Ian Sangalang to Gilas aside from Japeth Aguilar and Jio Jalalon respectively among others.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno