Slaughter holds latest title with significance
After missed big-time opportunities in the PBA
EXPERIENCING his fair share of missed big moment opportunities in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the significance of their latest title is not lost to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings center Greg Slaughter.
Completing the dethronement of erstwhile PBA Commissioner’s Cup champions San Miguel Beermen, 4-2, with a 93-77 victory in Game Six of their best-of-seven finals series on Aug. 8, the Kings completed a turnaround to their campaign that saw them reversing a 1-5 start to becoming a champion of the midseason PBA tournament.
Champion Kings coach Tim Cone gave a lot of props to his seven-foot center Slaughter, referring to him as the “difference maker” in the series for his ability to defend San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo and how in the process it changed the way the Beermen played.
Mr. Slaughter, however, chose to deflect the credit but nonetheless said he is very proud and happy for what they have accomplished.
“We pulled this is off as a team. Everybody stepped up. Everybody put their egos aside. Everybody played their role and we got it done,” said the former Ateneo player following their Game Six victory.
He went on to say that when he got injured in 2016 and eventually missed the Philippine Cup finals against the Beermen, it was hard for him since he felt he could have helped in said series.
“In 2016 when I tore my ACL, It was tough as I missed a lot of opportunities. We played San Miguel in the finals and we weren’t able to beat them when I was out,” he said of the series where Barangay Ginebra was ousted in five games,
4-1.
In the Philippine Cup this season, the Kings also fell to the Beermen but in the semifinals in five games, 4-1, as well.
So for his team to exorcise the ghosts of those earlier defeats to San Miguel with him in tow and healthy is an amazing feeling, he said.
“I’m just glad we’re able to win this championship. After such a long conference, we had a tough start going 1-5, and now we’re here. It’s very fulfilling,” said Mr. Slaughter, who averaged 13.3 points and 7.5 rebounds, apart from showing his ability to defend Mr. Fajardo in single coverage, en route to finishing second to teammate Scottie Thompson in the finals most valuable player voting. “We showed what we can do when we’re complete and we’re able to stop San Miguel,” he added. Now holding another title, which he considers as the “best” to date for him, the goal of the team is to continue rolling. “That’s what we are working for. We are a confident team and we feel we should be up there with the top teams in the PBA,” Mr. Slaughter said.
Next up for Mr. Slaughter and the Kings is the PBA Governors’ Cup where they are the two-time defending champions.
The last conference of the PBA season opens shop on Aug. 17.