THE University of the Visayas Green Lancers mammoth center Greg Slaughter takes a step further his basketball career as he will take part of the three-day training for big-men of the Philippine national team training pool at the Ateneo de Manila University today.
Of all the centers who played in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi), it is only Slaughter, who attracted the attention of the Manila bigwigs as he was handpicked to take part in the specialized training.
The training will be spearheaded by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.
Slaughter had an impressive season this year in the Cesafi and swept all of the MVP titles—All-Stars, regular and finals—and it was Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas head Noli Eala who personally contacted UV Green Lancers head coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug to invite his prized ward to join the specialized training for centers.
“Slaughter was chosen becase we feel he has a tremendous potential and upside,” Eala said in a text message to Sun.Star Cebu.
On the other hand, Cabahug will accompany Slaughter to the training camp, not to protect him from prying agents, but to join his ward in the camp.
“This will greatly help out Greg because this training specializes on the drills, the techniques for big men on the basketball court like him,” said Cabahug.
Cabahug added that he will join Slaughter in the training so that the inputs of the Serbian coach Rajko Toroman will be applied in Slaughter’s daily training here at the UV gym.
Regular practice
“That is why I will be joining him today so that I will know what to do once we come back here, the training will still continue during our practices while he is still studying. And that he will be ready once his services are needed for the RP team,” said Cabahug.
Cabahug said that while it is a possibility that Slaughter will be called to beef up the RP team, the final decision still hinges on UV top honcho Dodong Gullas and the Cesafi.
“If the Cesafi and the Gullases say yes, then we will let Greg play for the RP team,” said Cabahug.
Toroman was tapped by the SBP to guide the non-PBA national team members to fortify the RP national basketball team. (MCB)
