Slaughter ready for second crack at Gilas

GINEBRA’S Greg Slaughter pivots to shake off Barako import Solomon Alabi in last night’s game at Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO / NUKI SABIO, PBA

After almost five years, Greg Slaughter gets another crack at a national team stint after he was named to the PBA’s 17-man pool for Gilas Pilipinas.

The 6-foot-11 Ginebra big man, who was part of the Gilas 1.0 pool, is honored by his inclusion in the pool from which the final-line up for the Olympic Wildcard qualifying next year will come from.

READ: Fajardo happy to join Gilas pool, excited to team up with Slaughter

“I’m very excited and honored to be a part of this,” Slaughter said.

Begging off in 2014, Slaughter said he’s more ready than ever to represent the country alongside the bests of the PBA.

“I think I’ll definitely be ready. With the PBA coming up, during this time, I’ll be keeping this in mind and definitely prepare myself for Gilas,” he said.

It will also be a chance for him to finish what he started with the first Smart Gilas squad, this time hoping for a spot in the big tournaments after winning gold medals in SEABA and SEA Games in 2011.

READ: Greg Slaughter fires back at critics over Gilas withdrawal

Gaining a few years of experience since his last gilas stint, Slaughter hopes he’s stronger and wiser this time.

“We were amateurs then, but the competition was still the same,” he said. “I was pretty young then, and this time, I’m excited to be teaming up with PBA players and Andray Blatche. I’m excited to see how far we’ve come since my first time with Gilas.”