Time heals all wounds, as the saying goes, and Greg Slaughter hopes so as he’s trying to make amends in an attempt to return to the PBA.
The former Ginebra slotman on Wednesday issued a lengthy yet heartfelt statement mainly apologizing and taking accountability for what he’s done, especially during his last few years in Asia’s pioneering pro league.
“It is with the same gratitude that I approach this new season in my life with humility – the humility to recognize what I did wrong, and the humility to offer my profound apologies for miscommunications in the past,” the 37-year-old Cebuano wrote.
Slaughter actually began his statement by expressing gratitude before proceeding with the apology, which is already his second since 2020.
The 7-foot center had also sought forgiveness from the Kings and their top brass when he decided to take a self-imposed sabbatical in February of that year, following the expiration of his old contract.
That break saw him fly back to the States the following month before flying back to the Philippines by September. But he did not see action for the crowd darlings in the Philippine Cup bubble in Clark, in which the latter won the crown.
“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,” he wrote in an Instagram post back in December 2020.
Slaughter eventually returned to the league in 2021 when he was traded to NorthPort in exchange for Christian Standhardinger in a straight-up swap.
But his stay with the Batang Pier proved rocky as both camps struggled to find a common ground on contract discussions, ultimately leaving Slaughter with no other choice but to fly out and take his talents to the B.League club Fukuoka.
(C) MPBL
“They have a reputation of not being a winner but I wanted to change that,” he said during a guest appearance in Power & Play on September 25, 2022.
“But during my time there, I kinda discovered some things… That winning might not have been the priority of the team.”
Now, though, Slaughter has decided to move on from all that and start afresh in the PBA, an idea rekindled by the acquisition of the NorthPort franchise by custom food manufacturing company Pureblends of Bryann Calantoc.
Thus, the statement he penned, in which he mentioned in particular — and said his thanks to — Ginebra team governor and SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua.
“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,” the no. 1 pick by Ginebra in the 2013 Draft said.
It will be interesting to see how things will pan out following this development, but Slaughter is simply hoping that the doors will open for him again.
“It is my dream to come back, and it is my dream for my family to see me proud of playing on the home court. I want my wife and children to watch me play basketball in the PBA again,” the four-time PBA champion said.
“I want my three daughters to be proud of their father,” the 2017 Governors’ Cup BPC added.
“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.”
And if ever the league does welcome him back, Slaughter vowed that the fans will only see the best of him in every given opportunity.
“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.”
