I have to fit in, says Slaughter

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel center Greg Slaughter felt like he played a tale of two halves after making his much-awaited return from a 55-game absence due to a knee injury in Sunday's 103-86 loss to the Meralco Bolts Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The 7-foot Slaughter resembled Ginebra's fast start, scoring four points including a right-handed dunk that delighted the audience, while blocking Bolts import Allen Durham in the first quarter that saw the Kings take a 32-21 lead.

But the four-year veteran would be soon lost in the shuffle as Meralco slowly made a run before halftime, then unleashed a fiery third quarter that left Ginebra players and fans in stunned silence.

Slaughter produced solid numbers of 14 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks, but admitted that he's on the outside looking in.

“I think we just have some chemistry to figure out, you know. I'm coming in after over a year, during that time we really had a lot of success, so it's up to me to try to figure out how to fit in with everyone,” Slaughter told reporters after emerging from the locker room.

“We have a different style of play now. So I'm looking how I can fit in, help everyone else, compliment our team to be better,” he added.

Coach Tim Cone had implemented what he described as a modified version of his trademark “Triangle Offense” at the time when Slaughter was still recovering from his injury he sustained last September against Mahindra (now Kia).

That is why Slaughter hopes to figure things out as soon as possible, though Cone had earlier said that such thing would take time before Ginebra can become a well-oiled machine.

“We've been working. We haven't had that long of a practice time. You know coach Tim is gonna help us,” he said. “I think all of us are really motivated. I'm kinda happy we got a week before our next game because we need to get in there, try to figure out some things, need to talk to some of my teammates, and see how I can come in and try to help them.”