CHICAGO - The San Juan Knights are not messing around.
While working on the deal to acquire Mike Phillips, the perennial powerhouse also pursued Greg Slaughter, multiple sources told me.
It’s a massive arms buidup not seen since the Soviet-era “cold war.”
And there is a method to the madness.
COLUMN: Mike Phillips on MPBL detour, Gilas dream, and PBA option
The Knights last won an MPBL national title in 2019 and the ownership group is pulling all the stops in hopes of ending the drought.
Despite a lofty P700,000 a month offer, according to multiple sources, an agreement could not be reached.
NO DEAL.
Citing an understandable reluctance to “spill the beans,” Greg wouldn’t confirm the amount, but he did acknowledge the communication betwen the two sides.
“San Juan did make an offer, yes, but we couldn’t come to terms,” the Fil-Am said in a text message from Australia where he is suiting up for the Zamboanga Valientes.
The idea of turning down a sum of money that is more than the PBA max may sound insane.
Not necessarily to Greg.
While suiting up for the Manila Stars in 2024, Greg cashed P1.1 million a month in salary, one of the owners of the on-leave franchise told me in a prior interview.
The former Ateneo center has had a long and extremely productive career that included a stop in the lucrative Japan B.League.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Sure, he needs a steady job, but he ain’t hurting for money either, which affords him the luxury of waiting for the right offer.
Although he is 37 years old now, Greg is still 7-feet tall and 258 pounds big, easily making him the largest human being in the MPBL.
His championship mettle — four titles won between the UAAP and PBA — makes him a sought-after asset worthy of San Juan’s desire.
Having not ironed out a contract doesn’t mean Slaughter could no longer be in the Knights’ roster.
“Per a 2025 rule, assuming it’s still in effect, Greg can join the team as long as he is in the pool,” an agent told me, adding that GregZilla can also be signed as a free agent in the mid-season months from June to August.
It will be interesting how this one plays out.
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