NORTHPORT missed the services of Greg Slaughter on Sunday, just a day after he was thrown out of the game against Terrafirma due to a flagrant foul penalty two against Roosevelt Adams.
Interim coach Bonnie Tan said the team decided to rest Slaughter for the game against NLEX as he was suffering from pain in his hips. The big man was at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DVHSU) gym to support his team.
An official report from the team said Slaughter was suffering from cellulitis, a skin infection.
“May konting pain sa hips pero hindi naman ano, okay naman,” said Tan. “We decided to sit him muna para sa next games namin.”
The rest could be timely for Slaughter and NorthPort as the Batang Pier still face a grueling schedule. NorthPort has only played seven games after it missed the first week of the restart due to the league’s health and safety protocols.
The NorthPort big man is facing a P20,000 fine for the unintentional clothesline on Adams on Saturday. No suspension was slapped on Slaughter.
Outrebounded
Slaughter’s absence though was felt in the game even with NorthPort winning by two points, 96-94. The league’s top rebounding team with 49 per contest entering the game against NLEX, the Batang Pier were outrebounded by the Road Warriors, 60-43.
“We miss his rebounding. Buti na lang sa endgame, talagang nagha-huddle ‘yung mga players sa court. ‘Yung rebounding namin, being the number one team, pero parang hindi kami number one. ‘Yun ‘yung pinoint out namin,” said Tan.
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