UAAP board clears Slaughter, Parks Jr.

The UAAP board officially cleared Ateneo's Greg Slaughter and National University's Bobby Ray Parks Jr. to play in the Season 74 men's basketball tournament. In an interview with GMA News Online, UAAP board president Ricky Palou confirmed the board decision four days before the league's opening ceremonies. This paves the way for the 7-foot Slaughter, a member of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team, to join the three-peat champions. "We're very happy that the board let him play," said Palou, who admitted that Slaughter will provide a big push for ADMU's four-peat campaign this year. Bobby Ray Parks Jr., son of PBA legend Bobby Parks, turned down Georgia Tech University, a US NCAA Division I school, to play for the Bulldogs. Palou adds that Parks Jr.'s clearance to play "is good for the league. It makes the competition harder. It makes the league more interesting." — RSJ, GMA News