Slaughter admits dealing with chemistry issues in 1st game back for Ginebra

After being on the sidelines for nearly a year due to an ACL injury, Barangay Ginebra center Greg Slaughter admitted he is still groping for form.

And it showed on Sunday night when Slaughter played his first game in 10 months.

The Gin Kings were obviously a bigger team with the 7-foot Slaughter back in tow, but they also played differently as they tried to incorporate the Cebuano giant back into the system.

“I think we just have some chemistry to figure out, you know? I’m coming in after over a year, during that time we really had a lot of success, so it’s up to me to try to figure out how to fit in with everyone,” Slaughter told reporters after Ginebra lost to Meralco, 93-78.

“We have a different style of play now. So I’m looking how I can fit in, help everyone else, compliment our team to be better.”

Known for its running game, Ginebra had just one fastbreak point while Meralco had 18. The Kings also had as many assists (22) as turnovers (21).

“I think we started out well, but kinda lost our chemistry in that second half. We gave up a lot of easy fastbreak points. We didn’t have any fastbreak going on. I think we scored one point,” Slaughter noted.

“I think that rebounds were out of control. That’s up to me, Japeth, and Justin and figure out with our big lineup how we’re going to control them rebounds because with a lineup with our size, I don’t think there should be any game where we lose rebounds.”

Slaughter finished with 14 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks in a little over 30 minutes of play.

He said he feels “better than before” but his timing is still off after the long layoff.

“Still trying to find my timing and I’m trying to find how I can fit in with the guys.”