In his first PBA finals, Slaughter faces former coach

Greg Slaughter in his first game back since suffering an ACL injury 10 months ago. PBA IMAGES

This time last year, Greg Slaughter was raring for a chance to see action in the Finals as he helplessly nursed his torn ACL on his right knee.

Though he wasn’t able to contribute, the Cebuano slotman was elated to see Ginebra end its eight-year title drought.

Now, Slaughter is excited to hit the court for the Gin Kings as he plays his first championship series in the pro league.

“It’s awesome. All of us were on board and we won last year, that felt great. But I’m really excited because not only just because I’m coming back, but also it’s my first time (in the Finals) in the PBA,” he said.

Slaughter is no stranger to the bright lights, winning titles in his collegiate days in University of the Visayas and Ateneo.

However, this time will be peculiar ss he will go up against his former Blue Eagle mentor Norman Black, who is now at the helm for Meralco.

The 6-foot-11 slotman admitted that it’s going to be weird, but he’s equally glad to see his former coach at this stage.

“It just goes to show you what a great coach coach Norman is. Everywhere he’s gone, he is having a lot of success. I’ve learned a lot from him and now it will be interesting to go up against him,” he said.

Asked if he sees it as a huge edge for Ginebra given his familiarity on Black’s system, Slaughter just said: “We’ll see when it comes to play. But if he forced me baseline and double from the baseline then I see that things haven’t changed much.”

But more than anything,  Slaughter is motivated by this chance to be a major contributor for what could be his first title.

“I’m just really excited, but we got to stay on an even keel. Hopefully, we’ll get this first game. Hopefully, we can repeat it this year because we want it so bad,” he said.