TROY Rike can't wait to finally share the same playing court with Greg Slaughter as the two bigs team up at NorthPort.
The 6-foot-8 rookie said it's definitely going to be a pleasure working together and learning a lot from his 7-foot counterpart, who was acquired by the Batang Pier in a trade with Barangay Ginebra for Christian Standhardinger.
Rike cited Slaughter's experience as a good starting point for him to learn the ropes as he begins his PBA career.
"He's had a ton of success. Obviously, as a big, you always want to learn from someone like him. So I think it's a great opportunity where I can learn from him as a center," said the Batang Pier's no. 11 pick overall in the last rookie draft.
Rike, who suited up for National University, said Slaughter was among the first NorthPort player who reached out to him shortly after the draft, an effort which a newbie like him truly appreciated.
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"I had a chance to talk to him a little bit after the draft so that meant the world to me," he said.
On Monday, Rike officially became a Batang Pier after he signed a contract with NorthPort, together with fellow rookie and no. 2 overall pick Jamie Malonzo.
Rike agreed to a two-year offer which he signed in the presence of NorthPort team manager Bonnie Tan and his representative Marvin Espiritu of the Espiritu-Manotoc Basketball Management Philippines.
The rookie big man however, has yet to join the Batang Pier in practice as team training is not yet allowed under a Moderante Enhance Community Quarantine (MECQ).
But then again, Rike felt the warm welcome given to him by the Batang Pier the way they offered him their arms opened wide upon his entry with the franchise.
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"I haven't been to an official practice yet, but I already feel like I have gotten like a little bit of an initiation" said the rookie. (RG)
