Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone made it clear that he wants Greg Slaughter back as the Gin Kings aim to compete for more championships following their conquest of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup.
That, however, may not happen soon.
The 7-foot slotman took to Instagram on Tuesday and disclosed that discussions between him and San Miguel Corp.’s top brass – particularly with Pres. Ramon S. Ang and Sports Director Alfrancis Chua – did not go the way he wanted.
“My only regret is that the communication between myself and management, particularly Boss RSA and Coach Al Francis Chua, did not go as smoothly as I would have wanted,” he wrote in a lengthy IG Story.
The 32-year-old surprised many last February when he decided to take a break from basketball following the expiration of his contract. He then went to the United States the following month.
Slaughter would stay there for several months, training with Gary Boyson at the DME Sports Facility in Florida in an effort to further develop his game. He eventually returned to the country last September.
Slaughter explained that his decision to pause from the PBA “was purely to improve myself both as a person and as a basketball player.” He also apologized if his actions were misconstrued.
“I want to apologize to them and the rest of management for any misunderstanding or bad feelings that may have occurred because of my decision,” said the no. 1 pick of the 2013 Rookie Draft.
Still, Slaughter has not lost hope that he could, one day, return to the Barangay, where he’s won four championships alongside one Best Player of the Conference award and five All-Star citations.
“My only wish now for the coming year is to leave that in the past and have the opportunity to suit up again for the best fans in the world,” he wrote.
“I have learned so much this past year and I am excited to show everyone that the next phase of my career will be the best one yet.”
