MANILA – Filipino-American center Greg Slaughter will not be returning to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the PBA but will instead suit up for the Basilan Starhorse Viva Portmasters in the MPBL.
Viva Portmasters team owner Jackson Chua Jr. announced that Slaughter is set to make his debut for Basilan next month as the team gears up for the playoffs.
“Starting September, maglalaro na siya for the team,” Chua told Panay News in an interview. “Hindi siya makakalaro sa ibang teams since he is under contract with us.”
Speculation about a possible Ginebra reunion emerged after a photo of Slaughter with Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.
However, Cone clarified that the team has no plans to bring back the 7-foot center, whose PBA playing rights remain with NorthPort Batang Pier.
“Really happy that he came to visit (our practice), but nothing in the works,” Cone said in a separate interview with this publication.
The former top pick of the 2013 PBA Rookie Draft spent several seasons with Ginebra before being traded to NorthPort in 2021.
He also had a stint in Japan’s B.League Division 2 with the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka before returning to the Philippines last year to play for the Manila Stars in the MPBL.
With Basilan, Slaughter will reunite with former college teammate Emman Calo and join forces with veteran PBA players Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot.
Basilan is currently among the playoff contenders in the ongoing MPBL season with their 13-11 win-loss slate./PN
