Greg Slaughter. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
BOCAUE — Greg Slaughter finally know what it feels to win a championship in the PBA.
After missing the Kings’ ride to the title last year, Slaughter got his turn this season after Ginebra escaped Meralco with a 101-96 Game 7 thriller to complete a title repeat in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup.
“It’s all worth it. But we won’t stop here. We’ll keep this thing going,” said the big man.
READ: Ginebra escapes Meralco in Game 7, completes title repeat
He is no stranger to winning titles after leading University of the Visayas and Ateneo to the pinnacle of their respective collegiate leagues, but Slaughter shared that it’s still a unique feeling hoisting a trophy in the professional level knowing how hard it was to win one.
“This is the top league. Just getting to the Finals isn’t easy. It’s very hard. But luckily for us, everyone dug deep and we just pulled it out. This is really, really special,” he said.
The Cebuano giant averaged 11.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in the seven-game championship series and made sure he left a mark, pouring 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in the title clincher.
READ: Slaughter the difference maker in Ginebra’s game 1 win
The 6-foot-11 slotman, though, acknowledged that staying on top necessitates a whole lot of hard work.
That’s why when asked what’s next for him, the conference’s Best Player pointed back to the site where he plotted his return to recovery from his devastating ACL injury: the gym.
“I’ll keep getting better, keep working. I don’t think my body is at 100-percent, so I hope to have a better understanding of the things I do during the rehab. You just have to keep working and keep getting better,” he said.
READ: ‘Not about numbers’: Slaughter looking to help Ginebra in any way he can
And he expects the same focus from his fellow Gin Kings as they hope to contend not just in the import-laden conferences but also in next season’s Philippine Cup.
“I expect everyone else to be working hard too. If you’re not, somebody’s outworking you, so I just got to keep doing my job, getting better every day,” he said.