DISGRUNTLED big man Greg Slaughter is on the war path.
In a post on his Instagram account yesterday, Slaughter refuted NorthPort team manager Bonnie Tan’s claims that the 7-foot free agent is asking for a new contract worth beyond the PBA’s maximum P420,000 a month pay.
Slaughter said the offer, tendered last Jan. 29 via email and courier, was done only so the team could retain the rights on.
“So, who’s the one that’s lying? The ‘offer’ sent via courier and email was only to retain my rights so I couldn’t go anywhere,” said Slaughter. “It was less than half of what I was currently being paid by NorthPort.”
After his pact expired last Jan. 31, the former Rookie of the Year and Best Player of the Conference winner has not suited up for the Batang Pier.
Under the pro league’s free-agency rules, however, NorthPort still owns the rights to Slaughter.
He also blasted the Batang Pier, posting the endgame clip of the controversial NorthPort match against Magnolia in the last Philippine Cup, where he was subbed by coach Pido Jarencio as the inbound defender in lieu of the much smaller Sidney Onwubere.
The substitution proved costly as Rome Dela Rosa found Calvin Abueva, who scored on a layup that turned out to be the game-winning basket.
“This is only one incident of many strange things,” Slaughter said. “Is this the way players who try to win games are rewarded in this league?”
Slaughter said the Batang Pier have not reached out to him after his contract expired, like what happened during his stint with Ginebra.
“I never heard back when my contract expired. My rights are held by Northport which has ceased communication with me about staying in the PBA. This is why I was not able to finish the conference with Northport,” said Slaughter. “It is similar to when I expired with Ginebra and was given no offer until weeks after I expired, thus retaining my rights.”
The top pick overall by the Kings in the 2013 draft, Slaughter said he volunteered to play for Gilas Pilipinas but did not get any response.
“I cannot choose where I want to play in the PBA and I have volunteered my services to the national team multiple times this year with no acceptance,” he said.
“I am continuously learning, training, and getting better every day, preparing for wherever I play next.”
