Doors ajar for Greg Cage officials say slaughter is always welcome

MANILA, Philippines — The door is always open for big man Greg Slaughter as far as Gilas Pilipinas is concerned.

Same with his PBA team Barangay Ginebra.

Slaughter, who’s been on sabbatical since Ginebra’s Governors Cup title run, recently shared he’s been training under coach Gary Boyson in Daytona Beach, Florida with the end goal of playing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

This is welcome news for the national quintet.

“Well, from an SBP perspective, anyone who wants to serve the country is always welcome,” Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio told Greg Slaughter “Playing for the flag, I believe, is always every player’s dream.”

The seven-foot Cebuano, who last suited up for Gilas in the Southeast Asian Games, will have to contend with the likes of G-League bound Kai Sotto, AJ Edu and even reigning PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo for the WC23 team.

“I am getting great results from my daily training with Gary Boyson, which is preparing for what I hope is a leadership role in 2023,” Slaughter said in a Sunstar article he shared on his Twitter account.

Slaughter also said a return stint with the Gin Kings remains an option.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone welcomed such pronouncements from the 2017 Governors Cup Best Player of the Conference but stressed they haven’t been in touch since the last campaign.

“It would be absolutely great if he returned but we haven’t heard anything from him directly,” Cone said. “I know the coach who is training him very well, Gary Boyson and I’m happy Greg is working with him.”

Slaughter insisted he wasn’t offered a deal by Ginebra after his contract lapsed last January.

Ginebra Governor Alfrancis Chua had previously denied Slaughter’s claim, saying there was an offer to be made had he approached team officials to seek a renewal.

The team eventually tendered an offer to retain Slaughter’s signing rights.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to contact him soon and get a contract worked out,” said Cone.