Greg Slaughter fires back at critics over Gilas withdrawal
Ginebra center Greg Slaughter backs down San Mig Coffee and Gilas mainstay Marc Pingris during a PBA game.
MANILA, Philippines – Taking flak after pulling out of the Gilas Pilipinas pool, Greg Slaughter fired back at his critics Saturday.
The seven-foot Slaughter announced his withdrawal from the National team pool Friday night, saying that he did not want to take the spot of any of the original 12 mainstays of the team who poured their hearts out in the Fiba Asia Championship last year.
“For all the bashers: please remember Marcio and I have proudly served the national team for four years straight,” the Barangay Ginebra center Slaughter (@GWillSlaughter) posted on Twitter, referring to San Miguel Beer’s Marcio Lassiter, who also backed out Friday night citing the same reason along with health issues.
“I even did everything I could in practice to help Gilas prepare for the World championship qualifier last August. While I have received a lot of supportive feedback, I am saddened to see how hateful some of my fellow countrymen have reacted to my decision while even some going as far as continuously expressing their hate online directly towards me or indirectly,” added Slaughter, who was part of the Sinag Pilipinas squad which bagged the gold medal in the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta.
The rookie Slaughter even singled out sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielsz.
“The last thing I wanted was distractions to our national team. Instead of wasting our energy and being negative. We should use our energy to show support to the 12 and @coachot who has brought glory to our country by qualifying for the world championships after 50 years,” he wrote, mentioning Gilas head coach Chot Reyes.
“I see no one more deserving than the 12 to go to Spain and play in this possible once in a lifetime opportunity.”
With Slaughter and Lassiter choosing to walk away from a chance to represent the country, only Rain or Shine teammates Paul Lee and Beau Belga and Meralco’s Jared Dillinger remain as the additional members to the pool, which includes the original 12.
Despite passing up the opportunity to pave way for the current members, Slaughter is still into the idea of possibly playing for the flag again.
“God willing I will play for the national team again as I have always been honored for the opportunity to represent the country I have called my home for the past 7 years. Thank you, God bless and #LabanPilipinas.”
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