Expect Kings to sizzle with steady Slaughter

Games tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Globalport vs Alaska

7 p.m. – Talk n Text vs NLEX

MANILA, Philippines - Once they settle down, the Barangay Ginebra Kings could really be a major title contender and a tough matchup for everybody with the much-improved Greg Slaughter.

Except for the team’s struggling season start, everything is literally and figuratively looking up for the 7-foot-1 behemoth.

He has a league-leading whopping averages of 24.2 points and 17.2 rebounds.

The 2013 top draft pick has been in an MVP form, putting in double-double numbers in each of their first five games in PBA Season 41.

The Gin Kings’ problem is inconsistency and the lack of balance in their game that was evident in their losses to the Star Hotshots, the Barako Bull Energy and the San Miguel Beermen.

Ginebra finally showed a semblance of teamwork in an 89-64 rout of Meralco Tuesday night at the Alonte Sports Center in Biñan, Laguna.

“We got good contributions really for the first time. We had a good all-around performance and it’s a pretty nice bounce-back game from our SMB debacle,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

The two-time-grandslam-winning coach said another key was playing a tempo that kept Slaughter fresh all throughout the game.

Slaughter put in 18 points and 14 rebounds, and finally got the help he’s longing for from his teammates as Ginebra nailed a second win in its last three games.

With Japeth Aguilar also doing damage at the paint and the Ginebra gunners hitting their targets, the Gin Kings caught up with the Hotshots at eighth place at 2-3 while keeping the Bolts wallowing down the cellar with a fifth straight loss.

In their first four games, Slaughter averaged 25.7 points and 18.0 rebounds but lacked support from his teammates.

Against the Bolts, reserve wingman Salva hit two triples and a total of 11 markers while Joe Devance, LA Tenorio, Mark Caguioa and Sol Mercado combined for 29 points.

Everybody has been saying the Kings will be a tough match-up if Slaughter, Aguilar and their support crew get their act together.

Slaughter has improved by leaps and bounds from his first two seasons in the pros.