Big man’s return

Source: Sunstar.com.ph
Seven-foot giant Gregg Slaughter is mulling his options and eyes a return to the University of the Visayas Green Lancers for a final performance for the next Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) season.

Slaughter has now devoted his full time for the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team and didn’t join the UV Lancers in the Partners Cup. He only got to return to Cebu during a two-game friendly series against the the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños last Wednesday and Thursday.

“I am thinking about it. But I don’t know. It’s all up to me,” said Slaughter, who added that he wants to help UV win an unprecedented 10th straight Cesafi crown.

The Gilas management and the Samahang Baskitbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will leave the decision to return to UV to Slaughter alone.

“Gilas doesn’t want to get involved in that decision. They told me it’s all up to me to decide on that matter. I’d love to return, honestly. I just can’t decide yet,” said Slaughter.

Slaughter and Gilas will have a busy schedule as they prepare for the Asian Games this November.

On March 12, Gilas will leave for Australia to play a series of games against teams from the National Basketball League in Sydney, Canberra and Perth. They will then leave for Serbia on March 26, and will be in Las Vegas on April 22 to April 30.

Aside from that, the team is also set to play in the Fiba-Asia tournament in May, the Jones Cup in July and other various pocket tournaments to help prepare for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November.

Slaughter got Gilas’ nod when he helped the Lancers win the past three titles of the Cesafi and his return could make a 10th title an easy quest for UV.

“There is no pressure from either side for me to decide. I love to return (to UV) but I also want to play for the country. If I can find the best way to manage my schedules, then I can decide on that matter,” said Slaughter.