It was 1996, a messiah of sort joined the PBA Draft to supposedly bring a desperate moribund Ginebra squad to the promise land to which the country's undisputed people's champ languished in ignominy for several years until the imminent turnaround took place. That draftee was Marlou Aquino, who later on dubbed as "The Skyscraper", emerged as the overall no. 1 draft pick of that batch and spot on took the then Robert Jaworski-led Gin Kings to successive play-offs appearance and one finals stint right on his rookie year. Aquino, then a many time national player, was a prospective dominating center that captured the imagination of the Ginebra fans.
And 17 years after, it may seem that same fate-altering moment reckons to have another shot at destiny. Ginebra San Miguel, is slated this year to pick first overall, and with the bevy of talents (79 official draftees) who signed for the draft, a 7-footer giant literally stood tall amongst the aspirants...
Gregory William Slaughter, the consensus number one overall draft pick weeks and months heading into the draft is expected to be picked by Ginebra Gin Kings. It is supposedly a no-brainer to pick Slaughter, only that his batchmates offer, too, such immense talent and boundless potential to be considered as well to be drafted number one overall- not to mention the chance to play for the pioneering professional basketball league in the whole of Asia's most popular team bar none.
Be that as it may, Slaughter still is a prospect too hard to resist. What on a frame of 7 foot tall ( official biometrics 6'11 3/4), developing inside presence, and tons of upsides that could materialize in a matter of time only Ginebra legions could hope for. Indeed, it was an exciting future beckons Ginebra, and the excitement could only emanate to the fact that for so long now, Ginebra has chance to impose its will down low, that some 17 years ago, a goggle-sporting kili-kili shot specialist, and only recently, a bruising Fil-American banger patrolled the shaded lane for the Kings.
Of course, the prospect of Slaughter is also met with a grain of salt. Doubting Thomases are clamping up on the gentle giant that his game is far from intimidating as his height suggests. Too soft like a gelato, fumbles the ball so much and defers to teammates like he has no business imposing his will. Worse, the skeptics rather pattern his potential to the other 7 footer Ginebra drafted a year before Aquino- the Big D ( Disappointment) himself, Edward Joseph Feihl. The stomping was so hard it took Ginebra's main man Mark Caguioa to defend him on twitter with this, "Let me ask u. Would u drive to the basket if u see a 7'0 in front of u? Hell noh. Hehe." (Sic). Heck, Caguioa was so in the zone he made mincemeat of Slaughter's critics on social media, even suggesting that having such height as Greg has, that mere jumping is already pointless. Point taken both sides. But what truism must Slaughter exudes of himself is definitely for him to ponder. To prove doubters of the gifts he possesses that height can't be taught and that it is the might Ginebra, even the ever- improving Philippine Basketball needs in the future. That he can do himself a favor of realizing his potential and take a page or two of the opposing paths trudged by both Aquino and Feihl- that whether he like or not, will be the measuring stick of what it takes for him to be the man in the middle for the Never-Say-Die team.
November 3, 2013, Sunday, is a day of routinous commitment of the benchmark Filipino family to come visit malls to bond or simply get the ice breaker off the sweltering regular outdoor activities. It was a religious obligation of sort, even real religions compete for time with shopping. The shopping center would have events inside regularly with celebrities doing mall shows for promotion purposes. Only this time, it was 79 rookies of different positions and abilities are on the centerstage. I've been attending annual draft for years now but this time it has that festive atmosphere. It was the most popular team picking first. It was a generational giant bound to become the tallest number one overall pick in the history of PBA (last year, June Mar Fajardo held that record at 6'10. Edward Joseph Feihl, was the tallest drafted Filipino at 7'0 before Slaughter was drafted second overall, 1995). Sure, other rookie stars brought their college fans clubs, semi-pro ballers added excitement by either known or unknown reasons. Fans drove even from the southern islands to cheer for relatively unknown prospects but made their legends on their own courts. But this moment belongs to Greg, to Ginebra who will be, 17 years after, will headline a PBA Draft. The rather unusual jampacked crowd on D-Day can only be attributed to how Ginebra fans intend to welcome their behemoth. Already, they are on guard, watchful at every turn of how Slaughter will be at the center of this all. And the fire in their eyes can kill anyone who will stymie the giant's growth. Caguioa is more than wiling to lead them, social media is a perfect battle ground. Slaughter is what the loyal Ginebra fans had hoped for for so long. If you take the cue of the current king of the Gin Kings, it is as if the ushering of Slaughter to the throne glows more imminently than ever.
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