CEBUANO big man Greg Slaughter quickly moved past NorthPort’s controversial loss to Magnolia, had a monster game against Rain or Shine, and reiterated his commitment to winning a championship for the Batang Pier squad.
The University of the Visayas product had 25 points, 11 boards and a whopping six blocks, including the game-sealing denial on Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood’s potential game-tying three-pointer in NorthPort’s 91-88 overtime victory over the E-Painters on Sunday, September 19, 2021.
Afterwards, the 7-footer admitted he was upset about their 90-89 loss to Magnolia last time out. That game saw a controversial end as the Batang Pier was just a defensive stop away from snatching the win. However, NorthPort head coach Pido Jarencio pulled Slaughter away from defending the inbound pass in favor or 6-foot-3 Sidney Onwubere.
Magnolia took advantage as Rome dela Rosa was able to deliver a clean pass to Calvin Abueva who made the game-winning basket before time expired to give Magnolia the victory.
“I was very upset that we lost, just like any other loss, and very happy that we won, just like any other win,” shared Slaughter.
Slaughter explained that the Batang Pier have high expectations and the loss to Magnolia showed how passionate the players are in achieving their goal.
“We are just a team that wants to win,” added Slaughter. “A lot of frustration last time anytime you lose. But that makes us hungry for the next game.”
Slaughter also shut down any insinuations of a rift between him and Jarencio, saying he and the team trusted their coach.
“We trusted each other. We trusted coach Pido and pulled it together and move on to the next one,” Slaughter said. (JNP)