PBA: Slaughter addresses critics on Twitter over withdrawal from Gilas

By JOB B. DE LEON, GMA News

Published March 8, 2014 5:51pm

When Greg Slaughter withdrew from the Gilas Pilipinas training pool Friday, fans took to Twitter and questioned his heart and his patriotism. Less than 24 hours after going public with his decision to beg off the Gilas training pool, Slaughter decided to fire back on his Twitter account.

“For all the bashers: please remember Marcio [Lassiter] and I have proudly served the national team for four years straight. I even did everything I could in practice to help Gilas prepare for the World Championship qualifier last August,” wrote the rookie Gin King on the microblogging site.

While I have received a lot of supportive feedback, I am saddened to see how hateful some of my fellow countrymen have reacted to my decision while even some going as far as continuously expressing their hate online directly towards me or indirectly,” he said, singling out veteran sportscaster Ronnie Nathanielz.

Slaughter then enjoined the fans of the national team to support the Gilas members who nabbed a silver medal during the FIBA Asia run, while reiterating that he believed they were most deserving to represent the country. "I see no one more deserving than the 12 to go to Spain and play in this possible once in a lifetime opportunity," he continued, before expressing desire to represent the country in future tournaments.

"God willing I will play for the national team again. as I have always been honored for the opportunity to represent the country I have called my home for the past 7 years. Thank you, God bless and #LabanPilipinas," he ended. - RAF, GMA News

For all the bashers: please remember Marcio and I have proudly served the national team for four years straight. I even did everything

— Greg Slaughter (@GWillSlaughter) March 8, 2014

I could in practice to help Gilas prepare for the World championship qualifier last August. While I have received a lot of supportive

— Greg Slaughter (@GWillSlaughter) March 8, 2014

feedback, I am saddened to see how hateful some of my fellow countrymen have reacted to my decision while even some going as far as

— Greg Slaughter (@GWillSlaughter) March 8, 2014

continuously expressing their hate online directly towards me or indirectly. Ex. (@ronnathanielsz) The last thing I wanted was distractions

— Greg Slaughter (@GWillSlaughter) March 8, 2014

to our national team. Instead of wasting our energy and being negative. We should use our energy to show support to the 12 and @coachot

— Greg Slaughter (@GWillSlaughter) March 8, 2014

who has brought glory to our country by qualifying for the world championships after 50 years. I see no one more deserving than

— Greg Slaughter (@GWillSlaughter) March 8, 2014

the 12 to go to Spain and play in this possible once in a lifetime opportunity. God willing I will play for the national team again

— Greg Slaughter (@GWillSlaughter) March 8, 2014

as I have always been honored for the opportunity to represent the country I have called my home for the past 7 years.

— Greg Slaughter (@GWillSlaughter) March 8, 2014

Thank you, God bless and #LabanPilipinas

— Greg Slaughter (@GWillSlaughter) March 8, 2014

Tags: pbaseason, gregslaughter, philippinenationalteamgilas