Barangay Ginebra San Miguel center Greg Slaughter yesterday inked a three-year contract with the Kings, keeping the 7-footer even as he continues his recovery from a right knee injury.
An incoming fourth year starter, Slaughter hurt his knee when he tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament in a game against Mahindra last Sept. 10 during the Governors’ Cup.
After the finals, which Ginebra won against Meralco, Slaughter went under the knife to repair the torn ligament. He is now in the rehabilitation process which may take about five more months.
The fresh contract was a relief for the former Rookie of the Year since there are some concerns on his part especially after the Kings bagged the title with him out of the roster.
“I’m just very fortunate to have management like Boss RSA,” Slaughter said, referring to San Miguel Corporation (SMC) top honcho Ramon S. Ang.
“They really make me feel welcome here and they make me really feel confident in securing my position.
“There’s a lot going on in my mind at the time of my injury but they have all done a really good job and made me really feel secure and confident with my position in this team,” added Slaughter.
The onetime Ateneo stalwart wouldn’t divulge details of the deal but sources said Slaughter signed a maximum deal approximately worth R15.12 million, or a monthly pay of P420,000 – the first in his career to receive the league’s allowable maximum salary.
Slaughter said that his focus now is to get his old form as he averaged a career double-double 15.97 points and 10.53 rebounds with 1.18 shot blocks in three years, or since he was selected No. 1 overall by the popular team during the 2013 PBA Rookie Draft.
“Now it’s just time to rehab, relearn and strengthen my body and make sure that I don’t get injured again. This first year (of the contract), I’ll just really try to get back on my feet and continue where we started last conference by winning the championship,” he said.