On Wednesday, Greg Slaughter released a long, heartfelt statement admitting previous wrongdoings and apologizing for said deeds before reiterating his desire to come back to the PBA, a league he called home for seven years.
“It’s been four years since I last played for the PBA, and I’ve missed it very much. I missed playing for the fans and competing in the top-level basketball league in the Philippines,” Slaughter began. “A lot can happen in four years, and in truth, so much has: life experiences, growth, and maturity. I’m older now, and I am now the head of a family of five. I can honestly say that my life is great, but I also must admit, something has been missing.”
An Apology and an Application: Slaughter Wants to Come Back
Slaughter continued by expressing how grateful he is to the PBA and for the opportunities it has given him and “the life it has afforded me and my family.” He then acknowledged past missteps, which he described as “miscommunications,” and apologized for committing them—even mentioning Al Chua by name along the way and apologizing to him in particular. Slaughter finished by reiterating his desire for a PBA comeback, which he says is a dream not only for himself but more so for his family.
“It is my dream to come back, and it is my dream for my family to see me proud of playing in the home court. I want my wife and children to watch me play basketball in the PBA again,” Slaughter said. “I want my three daughters to be proud of their father. I want them to grow up seeing me beam with pride in the PBA. To have a father who plays for the PBA is a legacy I want for my children.”
Greg Slaughter Needs to Back Up His Words with Action
Slaughter’s apology is great and all and actually appears heartfelt. It is also commendable and is, indeed, a sign of maturity and an act of humility. However, it should be taken with a grain of salt—unless, of course, the 7-foot big man backs up his words with action. And he can do that by approaching the team that holds his playing rights—the Titan Ultra Giant Risers—and finding common ground to either re-sign with the franchise or be traded.
The first option, though, would be most ideal—not to mention the easiest path to a PBA comeback. But judging by previous reports from other media outlets, it appears Slaughter is not making things easy for Titan Ultra with his salary demands and other requests. If these reports are true, it just might be a sign that Slaughter may not be as serious as he claims to be in his statement.
At 37 and coming off unimpressive stints in Japan and the MPBL, Slaughter simply is in no position to be making any outlandish demands—and based on his statement, he doesn’t have to. He said so himself that his life is great albeit with something missing. Titan Ultra can provide that missing piece right away but likely for a lower salary but also without any complications that come with a trade.
If Greg Slaughter really is serious about his apology and his dream of a PBA return, he needs to humble himself even more, call the Giant Risers’ higher-ups, and work out a reasonable deal. Otherwise, that statement is just a PR move.
(Read Greg Slaughter’s statement in full below.)
