DEMONSTRATING his commitment to a PBA comeback, Greg Slaughter shrugged off fatigue from a late-night flight from Dubai to personally meet with Titan Ultra officials early Tuesday morning at the Victoria Sports Gym in Quezon City.
Out of the PBA for five years since his last stint with a Northport side that was since bought lock, stock, and barrel by Titan Ultra, the seven-footer also rescheduled morning plans for his daughter’s birthday to fullfill the morning appointment.
“It’s kinda nostalgic finally stepping into a venue that’s just about the PBA,” said the former Barangay Ginebra big man in between smiles while chatting with SPIN.ph on Tuesday morning.
READ Titan Ultra coaches recommend reviving talks with Greg Slaughter
"Everybody knows, the PBA is country’s premiere league and playing here is definitely an honor for everyone given the opportunity," Slaughter added.
Slaughter said he will do everything within his means for a chance to return to the PBA, where he was 2013 Rookie of the Year and a 2017 Best Player of the Conference awardee but left on acrimonious terms for Japan in 2022.
“It’s something definitely I want to come back to. PBA has always been a league that I have a lot of success in individually, but also with the team. I am very confident I can come back and be a major contributor again,” he added.
Slaughter bared that though he was away from his family for more than a week after a short stint with the Zamboanga Valientes in Dubai, he had to leave the house again early from Laguna so he can be at his appointment at Titan.
A team that has an average height of 6-2, with Mario Barasi being the tallest at 6-7, Titan Ultra management admits the ballclub lacks height to compete against the elite teams in the league.
Even team owner Bryann Calantoc, who personally requested Slaughter’s presence on the first day of the Giant Risers’ practices for the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup, believes having a seven-footer can bring a immediate impact to the young team’s campaign.
“I hope we can get this deal signed. I believe Greg is not what we read him about. He was a gentle giant and easy to talk with. We also saw his sincerity to return to the PBA. If our negotiation turns out well, we can be his ticket back to the league,” said Calantoc shortly after personally welcoming Slaughter to their practice facility.
“I can see naman Greg’s determination to return. Imagine, he just arrived from Dubai, birthday pa ng anak n'ya today, pero he said he will meet with us. Kaya I am looking forward to this. Excited na tayo,” added the 37-year-old team owner.
Titan star forward Joshua Munzon also shared his optimism that Slaughter 'can return home,’ saying the team needs extra muscle underneath especially after seeing how San Miguel manhandled TNT in the last PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
“It will be nice to have a big man in this team, any team will be happy to have a seven-footer in the team. I don’t think there’s a question about that,” said Munzon.
“I think that getting a seven foot guy in this league, it will definitely help your team. There’s only one dominant big man in the league and it’s June Mar [Fajardo], so anytime you can get a guy same height as him, it will make a difference,” added last season’s Most Improved Player.
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