Greg Slaughter (right) with June Mar Fajardo (left) at the PBA Season 49 Leo Awards. Photo by Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News.MANILA – Is a PBA comeback looming for former Barangay Ginebra big man Greg Slaughter?
'Gregzilla' made a surprise appearance at the PBA Annual Leo Awards on Sunday.
However, Slaughter was quick to point out that nothing's set in stone yet.
"I wouldn't say I'm officially back yet. I was invited to the event by commissioner [Willie Marcial]. And you know, it's a very big event. Very nice. The PBA has always been something very big for me, my family and my life. And I'm just really happy to be here on such an important event on the 50th anniversary," he told reporters before the awarding ceremony.
Slaughter last played in the PBA for the now-defunct NorthPort Batang Pier in 2021. In 2022, his contract with NorthPort expired, making him a free agent.
The 7-foot-1 big man admitted he wants to make a return to the PBA.
Slaughter told reporters his rights are now with the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, after the Pureblends Corporation's takeover of the Batang Pier franchise.
When asked if there are already talks with Titan Ultra, Slaughter said he spoke with the team's manager, Aldriane Anglim.
"Yeah, we just saw the team manager there, Aldriane. You know, we've known him for a long time now. You know, he used to come by our Ginebra practices when he was just a teenager. And so I was pretty surprised when I saw he's the team manager of the team that has my rights now," he said.
"Happy to see he's the team manager there. So I reached out to him. We just had a little conversation about me possibly coming back. And, you know, we'll see what we can build from here," Slaughter added.
For the former Best Player of the Conference, coming back to the PBA is more than just for himself.
"I definitely want to come back. I just welcomed my third daughter into the world two weeks ago. So, you know, me and my family are going to be settled here for a while now," Slaughter said.
"Now that my eldest daughter is getting a little older, it would be something nice to have her watch me play again. Because, you know, I put a lot of years playing in the PBA, but didn't have any of my kids to share that with yet. So if I do come back, that's one thing I want to definitely share with my kids," he shared.
Before the Leo Awards, Slaughter shared a moment with longtime rival and fellow Cebuano, nine-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo.
"It's good [to see him again]. You know, me and June Mar go way back. He's one of the first guys I met in Cebu. But, you know, we still play Dota together sometimes online. So we're pretty good together," he said.
"But just to see him again in the PBA, it's good. You know, we're really good friends off the court. And just both Cebuanos. So, you know, and just always been a very positive relationship with him," Slaughter added.
Should 'Gregzilla' return to the PBA, he is looking forward to possibly renewing his rivalry with 'The Kraken.'
"Yeah, absolutely. It's always been the most fun playing against him. And I think the fans really enjoyed watching us go up against each other. And I just think every time we play together, it's always just been a really fun thing even since before in our Cebu days," he said.