Author: John Michael Decierdo Agustin
Photo Credit: MPBL
Following his sensational ejection in game 1 of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) quarterfinals, Greg Slaughter finally sheds some light on the current issues, especially about the intense physicality in Philippine basketball.
The Bounty on Gregzilla’s Head
In his very first playoff game in the MPBL, Slaughter immediately felt the brutality and physicality inside the league. However, he isn’t a fan of it.
He even goes further and takes a jab at game officials, accusing them of missing crucial calls, especially hard fouls given to him every time he steps inside the hardwood. The former Barangay Ginebra star stated that “what we are pretending to be calling PHYSICAL is actually fouling that isn’t called”.
The 7-foot big man got ejected in game 1 after two unsportsmanlike fouls against the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo. Later on, the MPBL management gave Slaughter a 1 game suspension, barring him from leading Manila in game 2.
In his interview with basketball insider Homer Sayson, Slaughter revealed he felt like there was a target on his back, subtly implying that there was a bounty on his head.
The Fine Line of Filipino Defense
Looking back, just right after entering his first season in the league, Slaughter was already slated to share the court with centers and forwards who were extra motivated to obliterate him in the paint. After all, he’s standing at 7 feet, was a former PBA star and champion, and of course, he’s Greg Slaughter, making him an easy target for guys who want to take the challenge of guarding a behemoth of a man.
However, there’s a fine line between great defense and blatant physicality. Unfortunately, Slaughter’s defenders tend to cross that line more times than not.
Videos of Pinoy basketball in every corner of every street show just how passionate we are about this game. But, some of these videos also highlight the bad side of this sport, which is the unnecessary physicality that may lead to career-ending injuries or terrible fights. Referees and officials call this “Filipino physicality”, but it needs to stop.
Slaughter’s Physical Challenges
In game 1, Slaughter reportedly suffered bruises and minor injuries due to the rough plays and hard fouls by Caloocan he claimed the referees missed. He ended up going to a hospital to get checked, where a doctor advised him to wear a mask for protection.
At 36 years old, for what it’s worth, there’s no doubt that Slaughter is already one of the best basketball players to ever play in the MPBL. He reached even greater heights in his basketball career but admitted that he had never received such kind of physicality, not even in the PBA, Japan, or FIBA.
League Response to Increasing Intensity
MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes admitted that the physicality in the league is soaring, that’s why there are sanctions to whoever goes beyond the limits.
After suspending Slaughter, there is speculation that Manila SV Batang Sampaloc may be considering a withdrawal from the MPBL next season, similar to how Bacoor left shortly after the 2023 Finals.
This brings us back to the question – Are MPBL players onto Greg Slaughter? There’s no concrete evidence to back this up, much like how WNBA veterans are tearing Caitlyn Clark every night or how the ‘80s NBA teams (*cough* Pistons *cough*) kept Michael Jordan in check.
