CHICAGO - At 7-feet and a ripped 258 pounds, Greg Slaughter is a force to reckon with, often the biggest and tallest dude on the court.
The Manila Stars center is harder to repel than a subpoena, hitting shots at a high clip of 67.1 percent, while averaging 15.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in 18 elimination round games.
As expected, he was dominant in his team's MPBL playoff opener against Caloocan last Saturday.
The former Barangay Ginebra star rallied Manila from a 20-point deficit, but despite his 16 points and 10 rebounds, the Batang Kankaloo escaped with a 79-78 Game One win in the best-of-three series.
READ MPBL upholds Slaughter's suspension in crucial Game 2 vs Caloocan
Besides the L, Greg endured aches and bruises and a broken nose.
The physicality that he endured reached a point where a hospital visit was needed after Game One. After X-rays and a CT scan were taken, medications were prescribed and Slaughter is now required to wear a protective face mask.
The medical bill amounted to P65,000.
IS GREGZILLA A TARGET?
Asked if he feels like a target and that his defenders have been excessively physical, Greg concurred.
"What we are pretending to be calling physical is actually fouling that isn't called. You will see no other player in the world in any league, even in the MPBL, who is fouled the length of the court and has their movement impeded as I do," Slaughter told me.
"Any movement to claim my personal space is an offensive foul. The excuse of 'Filipino physicality' is not true since this was never the case in my experience in various ligang labas I've played, or in Cebu (CESAFI) and UAAP.
"Many fouls that aren't even called here would be unsportsmanlike fouls in the Japan B.League. This type of play is also not allowed in FIBA competitions, so I think it harms the development of Philippine basketball as well," he added.
When 'Gregzilla' held his ground and defended himself, he was assessed two flagrant fouls and was suspended for Game Two.
When the Stars raised their concern about what several other teams also referred to as incompetent officiating that has led to some "violent and barbaric" fouls, some senior referees replied it was just the "Filipino style of play."
I HOPE THAT'S NOT TRUE. IT'S STUPID, ARCHAIC AND DANGEROUS.
So, is officiating in the PBA better? I asked Slaughter.
"No, I can't say PBA officiating is better. From a fan standpoint, I would say they aren't satisfied, either," he replied.
"My family here in the Philippines has always been basketball addicts and they notice inconsistencies along with other issues that have turned them off.
"Also, I've experienced other weird and unique situations in the PBA like when I was on NorthPort playing against Magnolia in the bubble at the end of the game."
The Stars are so disenchanted with the officiating that rumors about the franchise pulling out of the MPBL next season are circulating online.
That would be sad. Manila is a model franchise that is being run professionally. It has a multi-million peso payroll that attracts the best talent and it pays salaries on time.
All they want is players' safety and a fair, responsible whistle.
How hard can that be?
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