Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Ginebra team governor and San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua believes the Gin Kings no longer have to reach out to Greg Slaughter following the big man’s decision to take a sabbatical.
“I don’t think there’s no longer a need for it since he has never reached out to anyone, anyway,” he told reporters in Filipino shortly after the PBA’s press conference for its 45th season Tuesday at Conrad Hotel in Pasay.
Earlier, when first asked about the 7-foot-center, Chua insisted that Ginebra is not the one that should be making moves if a player wishes for his contract to be renewed.
Ginebra runs the risk of losing its rights on Slaughter should the team fails to give the big man an offer within 30 days, according to PBA rules.
Should that happen, Slaughter, whose contract expired on Jan. 31, becomes an unrestricted free agent making him eligible to entertain offers from other PBA teams.
“I never talked to him—even higher management. But he and coach Tim (Cone) talked during the closeout meeting,” said Chua, who also denied rumors that the Filipino-American slotman has been made a trade piece.
“[Who’s] to question him why he did it?” he said. “He’s old. He’s at the right age to make a decision for himself. Let’s just respect it.”
Chua, if anything, believes the Gin Kings are still capable of competing without Slaughter.
“I think Ginebra’s ready because we won a championship with and without him,” he said, referring to Slaughter’s ACL injury that shelved him in 2016. “We already know what it feels like not having him.”
“Unlike San Miguel. They’ve been winning championships with June Mar (Fajardo),” he added.
Fajardo, the league’s Most Valuable Player, has been shut down for the entire Philippine Cup, and probably even longer, due to a fractured shinbone.
Chua said the Gin Kings remain intact and believes his charges “know what exactly to do.”