Slaughter hopes to play for the Kings

It has been six years since 7-foot Fil-American center Greg Slaughter incited “Slaughtermania” here in Cebu and etched his name as one of the best amateur big men in the country.

Now, with the Cebuano giant on the cusp of achieving a boyhood dream of making it to the big leagues, Slaughter, the former ace slotman of the University of the Visayas Green Lancers and the Ateneo Blue Eagles made it increasingly clear which team he wants to pick him.

“Gi-ne-bra!”

The upcoming PBA Draft commences on Nov. 3.

Picking first is Ginebra followed by recent Governors’ Cup champions San Mig Coffee and Rain or Shine.

The Kings boast of a high-scoring backcourt led by former league MVPs Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand but the league’s most popular squad has always been in dire need of a low-post presence.

This, Slaughter believes, is a need that he can fill.

THE BEST TEAM

“I couldn’t ask for anything more than to play for Ginebra. They have the best fans and history in the PBA,” said Slaughter in an exclusive interview with Cebu Daily News over the weekend.

Fresh off an extended vacation in the United States where he touched base with both family and friends, Slaughter is getting down to business, starting with the biometrics test where he joined the PBA hopefuls at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong yesterday, in getting their skills and athleticism tested.

EXCITED

“I’m excited to go to the PBA. My career since I started in UV has been great. This is just the next step and I’m looking forward to it,” he added. Slaughter actually got his basketball career in the country started with the Green Lancers, who he led to three championships in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi).

He nabbed a Most Valuable Player award in that league 2009 before transferring to UAAP powerhouse, Ateneo. He added two more titles to his resumé with the Blue Eagles, winning it all in 2011 and 2012. Along the way, he learned how to take care of his body and his conditioning and now appears to be a lean, mean, low-post machine.

“I think the most improved thing is the shape I’m in. I’ve really learned that I need to take care if my body so it can be at its most functional for games,” quipped Slaughter. As for his rivalry with another big man from Cebu, June Mar Fajardo, whom he battled with during their Cesafi days, Slaughter lauded the 6-foot-10 giant from Pinamungajan and expressed his excitement in renewing their rivalry, this time in the pro league.

“He’s really dominating now and that will raise the level of competitiveness in the PBA. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”