RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao believes former Barangay Ginebra center Greg Slaughter remains the Filipino player most capable of defending San Miguel's nine-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo.
“His match-up with June Mar is always something to look forward to,” Guiao told SPIN.ph. “If may player talaga na pwedeng i-match up kay June Mar, si Greg talaga yun.”
Though he claims to be unaware of the reported ‘silent ban’ on Slaughter and other former PBA players, Guiao advised all teams especially the Titan Ultra Giant Risers to pursue the player if they really need him in their team.
READ Ball in PBA's court as Slaughter, Titan Ultra come to terms
The seven-time PBA champion coach and former PBL commissioner also dared the league to address the ‘silent ban’ issue, saying any sanctions against a player or any PBA personality should be announced officially.
“I don’t think pwede mong alisan ng right to a livelihood ang isang player and be silent about it. Kung gusto mo na i-ban ang player, dapat open tayo kung ano ang dahilan bakit siya naba-ban,” said the outspoken PBA coach.
“The mere fact na may silent ban, may itinatago ka,” Guiao added. “Bakit ka magtatago when it comes to livelihood of a person, na kahit yung tao mismo di n'ya alam bakit siya naka-ban.”
“Di ako naniniwala sa silent ban!”
Why not get Greg for ROS?
Guiao stressed that although Rain or Shine is one of the teams needing an upgrade in size to be competitive in a league dominated by SMC and MVP teams, they're not going after Slaughter for one simple reason.
He won’t fit in Rain or Shine's fast-paced game.
“Kung sakto sana sa pangangailangan ng team namin si Greg, kinuha na namin 'yan at wala akong pakialam kung may silent ban siya. Kailangan namin eh. What I will do is ask for the reason why there is such a thing,” he said.
Sources told SPIN.ph that Titan Ultra are ready to submit a lineup that includes the seven-footer to the PBA office after coming to terms with Slaughter’s camp on a contract.
But will Slaughter get the green light?
Since leaving Northport after a contract dispute in 2021, Slaughter has yet to set foot in the league, forcing him to play for the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka in the Japan B.League from 2022 to 2024 before suiting up for the Manila SV Batang Sampaloc in the MPBL and with the Zamboanga Valientes during the last Dubai International Basketball Invitational.
Guiao believes Slaughter can be a big boost to certain teams.
“Kung gusto mo ng dominant big man and your team plays the half-court set, Greg is the type, Greg will be very useful,” said Guiao.
Asked if he is not puzzled why amid the scarcity in big men in the PBA, no team is giving Slaughter a call, Guiao gave his insight.
“Ako, ang unang pumapasok sa isip ko, baka wala na talagang team ang gusto mag-settle into a half-court game, in which he will be useful. Baka lahat ng teams gusto running game na,” Guiao said.
“Number two, hindi ko kilala si Greg to know what his attitude or character is, hindi ko alam yun, pwedeng maging dahilan yun, and three it might be an age thing,” added the former Pampanga vice governor and congressman.
Still, Guiao advised Slaiughter that if there will be an opportunity to play in the PBA, he should choose the league where he had his start as a pro in 2013.
“I think kung may kukuha sa kanya o merong nag-iinterest na team, PBA ka na. It is stable in the PBA. San ka pupunta, sa MPBL or abroad? Dapat sa PBA pa rin,” he said.
“Pilipino siya, taga rito siya, bakit ka maglalaro abroad? And why will you settle for the MPBL which, in terms of class and quality, eh meron namang PBA,” Guiao added. “In practical sense, financial and in terms of his familiarity and in terms of his fan base, mas praktikal talaga ang PBA.”
And his last take on a silent ban?
“Hindi ako naniniwala sa silent ban. I hope walang silent ban. Paano mo iba-ban ang isang player silently nobody [and] knows the reason why he is being banned? Let’s not deprive somebody who is providing for his family an opportunity for a livelihood,” he said.
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