Greg Slaughter could make his NorthPort debut over the weekend.
Head coach Pido Jarencio expects as much, since the 7-foot slotman has yet to see action for the Batang Pier in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup.
Slaughter was on the sidelines of his team’s conquest of Phoenix on Wednesday. He sat it out alongside with Sean Anthony, who’s dealing with an ankle issue.
“I think they’ll be ready next game sa Sunday,” the veteran mentor said.
NorthPort will face June Mar Fajardo and the San Miguel Beer on Sunday.
Slaughter has now missed his new team’s first two games.
The 33-year-old did not play during their opening day meeting with Meralco — where they lost badly — although he was in uniform.
Jarencio clarified that it was Slaughter’s decision not to play, while he debunked talks that it was the team’s call not to field him.
Meanwhile, that decision was respected by NorthPort.
“In our first game, si Greg, siya nagsabi na ayaw niya maglaro. But he wanted to suit up just to cheer the players. Siya talaga nagsabi na ayaw niya munang maglaro. Sabi ko, ‘Okay,’” the cager-turned-mentor said.
“Tapos ngayon, he is not fit to play. Sabi ko, ‘Okay, just wear civilian clothes.’
“Si Greg ang nag-request sa amin na ‘wag muna siyang maglaro kasi tuloy, parang mga tao, akala ‘di namin ginamit siya he. Siya talaga nag-request na ‘wag daw muna maglaro, kasi he’s not yet fit to play,” he added.
But then, Jarencio expects that he will be ready for Sunday’s big match after taking part in the Batang Pier’s practice yesterday.
“Sumabay naman siya sa practice na, nag-walkthrough siya, which is helpful para sa kanya, helpful para sa team,” he said.
