After an extended stay in the United States, Greg Slaughter has returned to the Philippines and is now looking to clarify his status with San Miguel Beermen and determine his future in the PBA.
Slaughter surprised many when he announced in February that he was stepping away from basketball shortly after helping the Gin Kings win the PBA Governors’ Cup. He spent the next seven months in the U.S., focusing on personal development and training, even signing with a top-tier sports agency.
In an interview on “Power and Play” with former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala, Slaughter shared that his contract expired in January and he took the opportunity to step back, work on himself, and refine his game. “It felt like the right moment to regroup, rediscover who I am as a player, and focus on areas I needed to improve,” he said.
Now back home, the 7-foot center says he feels mentally and physically renewed after working closely with a U.S.-based scout who helped him enhance his skills and conditioning. He’s declared himself “ready to go,” but it’s unclear yet where he’ll end up — whether with San Miguel, another PBA team, or possibly overseas.
“I’m open to anything. I’ve raised my level of play and there’s been interest from international teams,” he said.
Still, his main priority is to meet with Beermen’s management and coaching staff before making any decisions. He’s already been in touch with coach Tim Cone and is awaiting a firm meeting schedule.
“Out of respect for everything I’ve been through with San Miguel, I want to speak with them first before finalizing anything,” Slaughter said. “I’ve let Coach Tim know I’m in the country and now I’m just waiting for them to set a date for us to talk.”
Although he’s now represented by BeoBasket — the same agency managing NBA star Nikola Jokic — and has gained international attention, Slaughter emphasized his connection to the Philippines.
“I love it here. The Philippines will always be home,” he said. “So I want to explore all possibilities locally before considering any offers abroad.”