Ginebra coach Tim Cone said he knew about Greg Slaughter’s plan to take a break from basketball and is bracing for the Ginebra Gin King slotman’s looming exit.
But the multi-titled coach said he needs to sit down and discuss things with Slaughter first.
“Contrary to some reports, I did know Greg was contemplating taking a break from basketball,” said the multi-titled GSM mentor. “We discussed it during our exit meeting immediately following the championship, and I hope to discuss it further in the next couple of days.”
“Obviously, his absence in the All-Filipino would be a big blow to the team and his teammates,” Cone said.
On a high from their Governors’ Cup title run, Cone looked forward to extending a great ride to the Philippine Cup—a tournament he’s yet to win with the Gin Kings.
Minus June Mar Fajardo at San Miguel Beer, Ginebra was tipped to be the team to watch in the tourney that is to fire off on March 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
But then came Slaughter’s announcement that was a big shock to the Ginebra diehards.
Last season, the Fil-Am behemoth was good for averages of 9.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 0.9 block.
He’s the team’s No. 4 best scorer after Stanley Pringle (10.0), Japeth Aguilar (14.6) and LA Tenorio (11.8).
Aguilar is also bracing for a tough grind minus his frontline partner.
“(Things) will never be the same,” he said on his Twitter account.