Happy Birthday, Gregory William “Greg” Slaughter ( May 19 )

Happy Birthday, Gregory William “Greg” Slaughter

Source : Assorted Magazines (PBA Archives Collections)

“Gregzilla”
4x PBA champion
2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Best Player of the Conference
2015 PBA Mythical First Team member
2014 PBA Mythical Second Team member
2x UAAP champion
3x CESAFI champion

POSITION: Center HEIGHT: 6'11"
WEIGHT: 230 lbs.
SCHOOL: University of Visayas, Ateneo de Manila University
In one of the games of Smart-Gilas national team against the visiting national team of Jordan, 7-foot Greg Slaughter grabbed a long rebound, took a few dribbles to get him closer to the basket, and then slammed the ball with authority. His stint with Smart Gilas has boosted Slaughter's confidence. "The biggest thing is I got more confidence now," Slaughter said of his game, as he tries to improve in everyday practice with the national team. "Probably that's the biggest improvement in my game, confidence." Despite his gigantic frame, most basketball analysts actually criticized Slaughter for being slow while playing for University of Visayas. Despite the criticisms, Smart-Gilas' Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman took Slaughter under his wings and made him a key member of the national training pool that will compete in various international events as part of preparation for the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship.  Slaughter started as a back-up to imports like CJ Giles and Jamal Sampson. But, when the American reinforcements left one after the other the Filipino-American center stepped into the starting role when the Nationals competed in Serbia and in the United States. "I played more minutes," Slaughter said. Now, with the arrival of another import from the US, Slaughter said he has no problem playing supporting role anew with 6-foot-11 Marcus Douthit. Having played professional basketball in Korea and recently in Russia after graduating in Providence, Douthit has the experience from which Slaughter can draw inspiration. "It's nice 'coz Marcus is very experienced already. He's just helping me out during practice," Slaughter said. "The more I get exposed playing with him, guarding him in practice, I know can learn from the way he plays." Off the court, Slaughter already arranged his schedule to continue his studies in Manila, transferring from UV where he spent his two years in college to Ateneo. He also changed course from accounting to political science.