LUCENA -- Just as a lot of pundits predicted, Greg Slaughter was indeed the x-factor for Ginebra in its 102-87 Game 1 romp of Meralco to start the 2017 PBA Governors' Cup Finals.
"He was a real difference for us tonight," said coach Tim Cone.
Justin Brownlee added: "He definitely makes our offense a lot easier."
But for the Cebuano behemoth, he's just elated to get his first professional championship game out of the way and help his side nab the win after being limited to a spectator in last season's title run.
"I'm just glad we got the win. It's kinda tough because you got a long ride home, but I'm just glad that we're coming back with a win," he said.
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Cone had the luxury of inserting Slaughter off the bench as the 6-foot-11 giant anchored the reserves with his statline of 14 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.
More importantly, he was a huge calming presence for the Gin Kings even if the Bolts threatened to make a run in the second half, as the defending champions repeatedly went to their strengths and pounded the ball on the dominating Slaughter in the paint whenever they needed points.
"He gets under the bottom and around the rim and he's very difficult to stop there. We kept looking for him for him to stay on his rhythm. He's doing a great job and we hope that continues along the series," Brownlee said of his slotman.
Cone shared his import's wish with Slaughter, but he acknowledged how hard it is to play on that same level given the tenacity of his coaching chess match against coach Norman Black in this championship series.
"I thought Greg looked really good and I hope he could continue that, but it's tough to keep that up for seven games," he said.
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For his part, Slaughter refused to hog the spotlight as he reiterated that it will always be Ginebra's teamwork which would allow them to sniff closer to the trophy.
"We only got one day to turn around, the good thing about winning is that the Bolts are the ones that will have to adjust to us. We can improve on our game plan, but being up gives us the advantage because the loser has to adjust to the winner," he said.(DL)
