Slaughter's decision to rest is up to him, says Chua

Barangay Ginebra player Greg Slaughter says he is taking a break from the PBA after his contract expires. PHOTO FROM PBA MEDIA GROUP

Weeks after Barangay Ginebra bagged the PBA Governors' Cup trophy last January, big man Greg Slaughter caught fans by surprise after he announced his decision to  'take a break' from basketball.

However, for Barangay Ginebra Governor Alfrancis Chua, Slaughter's decision to take a rest from the PBA is entirely up to him as the big man is already old enough to make decisions for himself.

"Desisyon niya 'yun. He's not young anymore. Desisyon niya 'yun, so kung anong plano niya, nasa sa kanya 'yan," Chua told reporters during the Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) pre-season conference held Tuesday at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

Chua, during the press conference also said in the event that a player has an expiring contract, the player should have reached out and asked if he will be renewed.

"Sa basketball, sa PBA, sa corporate, pag expired na [ang] contract mo, ikaw [ang] lalapit sa team. You're gonna ask, 'Expired na ako, baka pwede mag-renew.' Hindi kami ang lalapit para tanungin if ire-renew ka kasi sa dami ng players, di mo malalaman eh," the Ginebra governor said.

Chua also belied rumors saying the 6' 11" Slaughter is on the trading block. "Kung hindi galing sa 'min, 'wag kayo maniwala," he added.

Chua said Slaughter has already talked to Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, but he hasn't spoken to him since.

Asked if he will reach out to Slaughter, Chua said, "Me reaching out to Greg? No, kasi sila ang nag-usap ni Tim nung closed meeting. Medyo nagulat si Tim [Cone], dahil ang ine-expect niya muna siguro kakausapin siya."

While Ginebra will enter the Philippine Cup sans their big man, Chua believes the team is ready and it just needs to adjust to the situation.

"Dati nung na-injure siya, we won a championship. Tapos na[kapa]g-champion naman with him," Chua recalls. "Ginebra is ready because we won a championship with him or without him. Naramdaman na pareho."

"They felt the presence of Greg and wala si Greg. Sa players, wala naman kaming binago, may mga beterano. 'Yung mga adjustment, alam na nila ang gagawin," he added.

Ginebra will play their first game this upcoming season on March 14 against Blackwater in Balanga, Bataan. — BAP, GMA News