CHICAGO - A day after Greg Slaughter announced his intent to make a comeback in the PBA, his wish quickly moved one step closer to fruition.
Per multiple sources, initial talks between the Fil-American giant and Pureblends 'have already been done and that "an offer will be sent this coming week."
The timeline coincides with this weekend's expected PBA board approval of Pureblends' franchise purchase of NorthPort Batang Pier who owns the signing rights of Slaughter.
COLUMN: Will Greg Slaughter ever find his way back to the PBA?
"Hopefully, both sides can reach an agreement. Greg still has what it takes to be a force in the PBA and help the new team be competitive," a person with intimate knowledge of the negotiations said on Friday morning.
Just last night, an official from another PBA team, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid any potential internal strife, told me that making an offer to Slaughter and signing him at a salary cap friendly deal is "a possibility."
Before all of these eruptions of domestic interest for the services of the 2014 PBA Rookie of the Year and four-time PBA champion, the Taipei Fubon Braves had previously approached Slaughter to fill their Asian import slot and bolster their EASL campaign.
Joining Fubon would have paired Slaughter with former San Miguel Beer import and current Filipino naturalization candidate Bennie Boatwright in a collaboration that compensated handsomely for a four-month stint.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS.
But with a growing family that recently welcomed a third daughter, Greg is more inclined to traffic his skills on home soil.
Pureblends' pursuit of Slaughter makes sense for a league newcomer that needs a robust center to anchor the defense while lending star power attraction on the marketing side.
In the upcoming Philippine Cup that ushers in the league's Season 50, Greg can be the June Mar Fajardo antidote. And Slaughter becomes NorthPort's de-facto second import in the reinforcement-laden Governors' and Commissioner's Cup/
Now 37 years young, with a stint in the Japan B.League on his stripes. Slaughter can play well into his 40s, a feat recently accomplished by 48-year old former Magnolia Hotshot Rafi Reavis.
And why not?
Greg is healthy and treats his 7-foot, 258-lb frame as though it were a temple. He eats right, lifts weights, occasionally hangs out in an oxygen chamber and often does more cardio than an EKG machine.
He's ready alright.
So here's the thing: Is the PBA ready for the second coming of Greg Slaughter?
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