IN what could be the first major step to a possible return to the PBA, Greg Slaughter humbled himself and recognized the wrong doings he did which eventually led to an unexpected exit in Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league.
Now the head of a family of five and more mature in dealing with life experiences, the veteran big man acknowledged his mistakes in the past and offered his apology to the entire league and specifically, to the Barangay Ginebra team, where he spent the best part of his PBA career.
READ: Will Greg Slaughter ever find his way back to the PBA?
“I approached this new season in my life with humility – the humility to recognized what I did wrong, the and humility to offer my profound apologies for miscommunications in the past that caused offense to an association that has been so good to me, an association that has made my dream of playing for a Filipino premier league come true,” said the 7-foot Slaughter in a statement released to reporters
“I would specifically like to mention Mr. Alfrancis Chua, the person responsible for getting me to play for Ginebra, a person I owe so much to. My profound gratitude to you, Sir."
Having said his piece, Slaughter didn’t mince a word about seeking his way back to the 50-year-old league.
“It is my dream to come back, and it is my dream for my family to see me proud of playing in the home court. I want my wife and children to watch me play basketball in the PBA again,” said the former Ateneo standout who watched the Philippine Cup game between Meralco and Blackwater at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
“I want my three daughters to be proud of their father. I want them to grow up seeing me beam with pride in the PBA. To have a father who plays for the PBA is a legacy I want for my children.”
Slaughter was the no. 1 overall pick by Ginebra in the 2013 draft and won four championships with the franchise.
Along the way, he was named Rookie of the Year, bagged Best Player of the Conference award in the 2017 Governors’ Cup, made it once to the Mythical First Team and Second Team, and was a five-time All-Star.
Unfortunately, misunderstanding with the team led to his trade to Northport in 2021 for Christian Standhardinger.
After a season with the Batang Pier, Slaughter opted not to sign the contract offer tendered by the team, making him a free agent.
His playing rights though, is now with Titan Ultra, the firm that brought locked, stocked, and barrel the Northport franchise.
In the four-year stretch that he was out of the PBA, Slaughter, 37, admitted missing playing in the league.
“I’ve missed it very much. I missed playing for the fans and competing in the top-level basketball league in the Philippines,” he said.
“I am Fil-Am, but I have never felt more Filipino than when playing for the PBA. I’ve played elsewhere, but nothing compares to playing for Filipino fans. They are the best in the world. Iba pa rin ang puso ng Pinoy.’
While saying that life is great, Slaughter said there still a space in it that’s left to be filled.
“When I look back at my career in the PBA, I look back with so much gratefulness. I have nothing but gratitude for the opportunities it has given me, and the life it has afforded me and my family,” he said.
Given another chance, Slaughter vowed to be a better player and person at the same time should he make it back to the league.
“Basketball is my favorite sport. I love it very much. It's my life. I want to end by promising to everyone here and all the PBA fans everywhere that from here on, I will do my best and give my all in every game, and that you can all expect a more seasoned player,” the veteran big man said.
“The PBA for me is family, the PBA for me is home.”
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