Star Hotshots fight for survival
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel center Greg Slaughter will return to action on Sept. 9 against Mahindra after missing the first eight games of the PBA Governors’ Cup due to an injury.
The 7-foot center has been out of action since the start of the seasonending conference after he
Ginebra coach Tim Cone confirmed Slaughter’s return following his team’s masterful 116-103 victory over Star in their “Manila Classico” match last Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We're expecting him (Slaughter) to play some minutes,” said Cone, who added that Slaughter will not star but will come off the bench and will play limited minutes.
“We’ll be bringing him back slowly. We’re not just going to throw him out there and give him 35 to 40 minutes,” Cone said. “We’re going to test him and
Absorbing another frustrating loss in front of one of the biggest crowds ever seen this season perhaps epitomized the struggles of the Star Hotshots in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Hotshots were dealt with another blow to their playoff ambitions after squandering a big lead in the 116103 setback to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel held in front of 16,000 fans Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. slowly work him into the game.”
Before the surgery, Slaughter was having perhaps his best season yet, averaging 20.1 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 25 games during the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup.
Slaughter expressed his elation over his upcoming return, mentioning that he had started working out on several drills at practice. But it will be the first time that he will participate in a full scrimmage.
“I’ll just try to get my rhythm back,” said the 2014 Rookie of the Year. “My ankle gets a little sore when I run on it, but I think that’s just re-adjusting to
Star led 49-32 in the second quarter when it suffered a free fall that allowed Ginebra to win the latest edition of their sibling rivalry dubbed as the “Manila Clasico.”
Unless rookie coach Jason Webb and the Hotshots produce a late surge, they will miss the playoffs for the first time since former coach Tim Cone was transferred to Ginebra.
Star is having a tough time reviving the days of old, when Cone made the then-San Mig Super Coffee squad the movements.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve been able to run like that. I think it’s a little weak right now… it should get strong enough soon. I haven’t joined any contact, we’ll see. I’ve been trying to pick up our new offense and everything, getting into the flow of that.” added the 28-year-old Slaughter.
Another challenge for Slaughter is how he will fit in with Cone’s new system, which the 18-time champion mentor claimed is a modified version of the Triangle Offense.
The new approach of Cone has brought the best out of his players, including reinforcement Justin Brownlee, and local mainstays Mark Caguioa, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, Sol Mercado and rookie Scottie Thompson.
“I think there’s a choice here,” said Cone. “He could either be a disruption – because we’re playing good basketball – or he can be a bona fide extra weapon that takes us to a new level.” PBA’s fifth grand slam winner in 2014.
Star veteran PJ Simon admitted after the loss to his former mentor that it is quite unusual to see the Hotshots languish near the bottom.
“Di naman mawawala yun kasi sanay tayo na nasa gitna o nasa top,” Simon said. “Medyo may frustration pero habang di pa naman tapos, wala namang gigive up. Kita naman na walang bumibitaw hanggang dulo. Looking forward kami na makakuha kami ng streak bago matapos yung conference na ito,” he added.