Returning seven-foot slotman Greg Slaughter is just waiting for the right opportunity to get back into action and play his first game in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League’s Sixth Season for his new team, Manila Stars.
Barely a week since joining the squad, Gregzilla is familiarizing himself more, knowing his teammates better while trying to get his legs back.
He is saving his best for the tough grind.
“Probably a week or two as I’m still trying to get my legs and conditioning back,” said Slaughter, who is on his way to complete a full week of practice with the Stars.
At practice, Slaughter appeared to be in basketball shape, coming off a stint in the Japan B2 League where he saw action for the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka, but game condition is different and that is why the four-time PBA champion who won titles playing for Barangay Ginebra is trying to bring himself up to speed to help the Stars’ campaign.
On Friday night, during the Stars’ home-game 90-76 victory over the Valenzuela Classic, Slaughter suited up but didn’t see action.
But he is expected to play in the team’s next game and gradually breaks into the system of coach Gabby Severino.
Slaughter’s long-time coaches, PBA legends Boy Cabahug and Al Solis, believe their former player at the University of Visayas Lancers can dominate the MPBL if the team he plays for can utilize his full potential.
“Kaya naman niya (mag-dominate). Kaya lang, hindi puwede mag-over confident sa sarili niya kasi he will be the target of all the teams,” wrote Cabahug via Messenger to Pinoystep.com.
“Kasi, maski saan ka maglaro, yung attitude mo talaga ang malaking bagay para sa team.”
A few years after retiring from his playing career, Cabahug became head coach of the Lancers and led the team to nine straight championships in the CESAFI where Slaughter became a part of three championship teams before the big man went to Manila to join Gilas Pilipinas and Ateneo.
Cabahug was assisted by another dead shot player — Solis — his former rival in the PBA.
Like Cabahug, Solis sees Slaughter’s capabilities of dominating the MPBL as he is easily the tallest and one of the more experienced players in the league founded by Senator Manny Pacquiao.
“Sa tingin ko kaya niya i-dominate ang MPBL given a coach who knows his attitude and strength, plus teammates who knows how to adjust his kind of game,” added Solis.
