PBA: Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua respects Greg Slaughter’s decision to take a sabbatical

By Jonas Terrado

San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua, also Barangay Ginebra governor, respects the decision of Greg Slaughter to take a break from basketball, adding that there’s no reason for him to reach out to the 7-foot center.

“Di naman na siguro kailangan kasi wala naman siyang nireach out kahit kanino e,” Chua said after Tuesday’s press launch of the 45th PBA season at the Forbes Ballroom of the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

“That’s his decision. He’s old enough so no one or me can question him kasi matanda na. Nasa tamang edad na siya para magdesisyon kung ano pakay niya or what he wants so respetuhin na lang natin,” he added.

Chua made his first statement since Slaughter decided to undergo a sabbatical following Ginebra’s title victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup that fueled numerous speculations.

Slaughter, whose contract expired after the Finals series against Meralco, had an exit interview with coach Tim Cone before making the stunning announcement.

Cone has yet to comment if he and Slaughter made succeeding discussions about the decision that left Ginebra without of its big men.

Still, Chua is confident of Ginebra’s chances in the PBA Philippine Cup which opens March 8 since it has already had experience winning titles with and without Slaughter.

Ginebra was without Slaughter when Ginebra captured the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup while the former Ateneo star was Best Player of the Conference during the following season’s title run in the season-ending tournament.

“Ok pa rin ang Ginebra. Anu lang adjustments lang yan,” Chua said. “Dati nung na-injure siya, they won a championship without him, tas nag-champion din with him. Kaya dinedicate ko yung championship sa kanya dahil nakatikim na siya ng championship.

“So I think Ginebra is ready because we won the championship with him and without him. Naramdaman na pareho,” he added.

Ginebra opens its Philippine Cup campaign on March 14 against Blackwater in an out-of-town game in Balanga, Bataan.

Source: Manila Bulletin