Slaughter: I still have my best basketball ahead of me

Greg Slaughter (middle) ends his stint with Ginebra. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—It was a bittersweet ending for Greg Slaughter as his stint with Barangay Ginebra drew to a close, but the center said he was excited for the new chapter in his career.

The 7-foot center was traded to NorthPort in exchange for fellow big man Christian Standhardinger just weeks after he returned to the Gin Kings following a lengthy sabbatical.

Slaughter admitted that he was saddened with the transaction that sent him to the Batang Pier but was nonetheless thankful for the opportunity Ginebra gave him when he was selected as the first overall pick of the 2013 Draft.

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“It has been a tremendous 6 years with Barangay Ginebra. Although I am saddened to know that my journey with them has officially come to an end, from the first pick in the draft to all star and multiple championships, I will always look back fondly at the time I spent there,” wrote Slaughter on his Instagram account.

Slaughter and Ginebra were stuck in a contract dispute in February 2020 that saw the four-time champion leave the team and go to the United States for much of the year.

A former Best Player of the Conference, Slaughter will join a NorthPort team that struggled in the 2020 Philippine Cup wherein the team won just one game out of 11 matches.

“I am truly excited for this new adventure and for the next chapter in my story to begin. I still have my best basketball ahead of me,” said Slaughter. “I have so much left to give the game and just as blessed as ever to play the game I love in front of all the fans who have been with me through it all, no matter what jersey I wear.”

Slaughter also thanked San Miguel Corporation President Ramon S. Ang, team governor Alfrancis Chua, his coaches, teammates, and the fans that have supported him in his career.