Greg tight-lipped on plans

Barangay Ginebra center-on-leave Greg Slaughter is still in the US on an extended vacation and wouldn’t reveal when he intends to return to Manila or whether he plans to sign a new contract in the PBA.

A few days ago, Slaughter posted images in his Instagram account of working out with former Ginebra teammate Chris Ellis in a gym, somewhere in Florida. They were joined in the session by Italian-born Filipino 19-year-old guard Dalph Panopio. Slaughter wore a replica USA team jersey No. 10 of the late Kobe Bryant. That was Bryant’s number when he played for the US at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

Ginebra tendered an offer sheet to retain Slaughter’s rights in his absence a few days before the 30-day deadline to renew his contract that expired last Jan. 31. That guaranteed Ginebra the right of first refusal on Slaughter in perpetuity, meaning if he declines to sign, his status will be a restricted free agent. The Ginebra offer was reportedly for at least a year.

Unlike Slaughter, Ellis is an unrestricted free agent. They were teammates at Ginebra from 2013 to 2017. When Ellis was traded to Blackwater with Dave Marcelo for Art de la Cruz and Raymond Aguilar in 2017, he never played a game for the Elite. He showed up for one practice but collapsed on the floor and was rushed to the De Los Santos Medical Center in an ambulance. Ellis was confined overnight and found to be afflicted with leptospirosis. Nephrologist Dr. Brando Navidad ordered complete rest for 30 days.

A source said Blackwater never offered Ellis a contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. “At the moment, we are not interested in Ellis,” said Blackwater governor Silliman Sy. Ellis, 31, was out of organized basketball for two years then resurfaced in the Thai league last season. It’s not sure if he plans to make a PBA comeback. The high-flying guard-forward known as “Air Force” would be a welcome addition to any team.

Slaughter said he has never lost touch with his ex-teammate. “Chris and I have always stayed in touch and since we are both in the US, we decided to meet up and work out together,” said Slaughter. “I don’t know what his plans are with regard to playing in the PBA. As for me, I don’t have any concrete plans yet.”

Slaughter said he’s concerned about the coronavirus situation in the Philippines. “Hope you guys are doing well with the lockdown over there,” he said. Slaughter gave no indication as to when he plans to return to Manila. However, in a previous message, he hinted that his basketball playing days are far from over. “I know this break will not only make me a better basketball player but also a better person,” he said. “This was most definitely not an easy decision for me.”

The suspension of the PBA Philippine Cup means less games that Slaughter will miss in case he decides to play again. He told Ginebra coach Tim Cone that he planned to take a sabbatical from the game, presumably to recover from the grind of a long season, during his exit interview at the end of the last Governors Cup. The sabbatical was supposed to last three to four months. Images of Slaughter working out with Ellis and Panopio are a clear indication he misses the game and wants to stay in shape.