Ginebra coach Tim Cone at Ginebra’s first practice for the new PBA season. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra has started a new chapter without Greg Slaughter, who announced he was taking a sabbatical from the team following the expiration of his contract.
The Gin Kings, who are fresh off their 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup conquest, held their first practice on Wednesday two weeks before the 2020 Philippine Cup opening.
Head coach Tim Cone was mum about the big man’s departure and begged off from interviews, but veteran point guard LA Tenorio said that the team will just have to find other ways to win without their seven-foot center.
“I don’t have a comment on his situation and the only thing I can say is I personally respect his decision and whatever’s going with his personal life is none of my business,” said Tenorio in Filipino on Wednesday at Upper Deck Sports Center.
“We really don’t have to worry ourselves with this situation for the whole conference. If he’s not here, then we have to move on.”
Not having Slaughter in the line-up is not unfamiliar territory for the Gin Kings, who also lost him to an anterior cruciate tear in his right knee in 2016. Ginebra also won the Governors’ Cup title that year.
“We played before without Greg and we won a championship without Greg so we’re okay,” said Tenorio. “I don’t think it’s a big problem for us but course without him at the team is a big thing.”
“At the end of the day, we have to find ways to win just like what happened before when he was injured and didn’t play for a whole season.”
All Ginebra players were in attendance on Wednesday including the three rookies Jerrick Balanza, Arvin Tolentino, and Kent Salado, and the injured Jeff Chan.