By JONAS TERRADO
Gilas Pilipinas Program Director Tab Baldwin sees Greg Slaughter as a key figure if the 7-footer dons the national colors for FIBA competitions in the immediate future.
Though nothing is cast in stone, Slaughter has already impressed Baldwin with social media videos of his individual workouts under former NBA scout Gary Boyson in Daytona Beach, Florida.
“I think Greg will be an asset,” said Baldwin in Tuesday’s episode of Sports Page. “I have been in touch with Greg and I have seen some of his development by video and the work that he’s been doing in the States and I think it’s great. I certainly would welcome that.”
What was noticeable is Slaughter’s work on adding an outside game, particularly hitting threes like he did during a recent workout at Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s practice facility inside Upper Deck Sports Center in Ortigas.
Slaughter recently returned to the country after daily sessions in the US.
But Baldwin understands that having Slaughter as part of Gilas, possibly in next month’s FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers under a bubble setup, is easier said than done.
“I don’t think it’s a done deal at this point,” Baldwin said. “I think some of the extenuating circumstances that need to be worked out by Greg and the powers that be that governed his situation right now.”
Slaughter had said in last week’s appearance on Power and Play that he is not ruling out a possible return with Ginebra after leaving the US last February when his contract expired.
Gilas is in need of additional bodies for the second window of the qualifiers which is still uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Baldwin had earlier said that he’ll likely tap amateur players to reinforce the Gilas Cadets with PBA players currently inside the bubble in Clark, Pampanga.
The national team is also looking at someone to call the shots for the next window.
