FOR 'Gregzilla', suiting up for the Manila Stars in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is akin to going back to his roots.
After two seasons with Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka in Division II of the Japan B.League, Greg Slaughter was greeted by a warm welcome from fans at the San Andres Sports Complex on Friday night lining up for a quick photo-op ahead of the Stars' match against Valenzuela Classic.
“Philippines is my home. No matter what I do, I’m always going to be here," said the seven-footer. "Been here before basketball, still here after basketball.”
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The four-time PBA champion and former No. 1 overall pick of Ginebra suited up but didn't make his MPBL debut, saying he needs more time to be with the team since returning from Japan last Monday.
“I’ll be here [...] I’m part of the team now. I just got on Monday. So, just getting along with the team, you know, they’ve been going on since March. So, as soon as I’m ready, as soon as we’re ready, I’m probably in it," he said.
The former Barangay Ginebra center told SPIN.ph that the B.League and the MPBL share similarities that he likes.
“It’s a very tough schedule playing the whole season, but it was good preparation for MPBL because they play a real season also. Also, playing with the team representing regions, that’s also very exciting," he said.
Slaughter affirmed that he has no plan of making a comeback in the PBA, but eagerly anticipates taking the court for the Stars.
“I’ve been playing in the Philippines for a long time now, you know, all the way back in my college days, in Cebu since 2007," he said, confident that he can achieve the level of success with the Stars at age 35 as he had with Ateneo and University of Visayas in college and with Ginebra as a pro.
“I always like my chances. I had a lot of success here in Philippine basketball, all the way since I started, and I like to continue.”
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