MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings head coach Tim Cone hopes to have Gregory Slaughter, Mark Caguioa and Negrense Joe Devance back for their title defense.
Cone said the three veteran players will play key roles when the Kings defend their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup crown at the start of the 2021 season tentatively on April 9, 2021.
According to the 23-time PBA champion coach, the Filipino-American Slaughter will have a big impact for the Kings if he returns to the squad and joins Japeth Aguilar again in the frontcourt.
The seven-footer Slaughter was not part of the Barangay Ginebra roster in the PBA bubble after he opted not to sign a contract extension earlier this year. His playing rights, however, remain with the Kings.
“I would love to have Greg back to the team. That will help Japeth out in terms of giving him a break. We can be a little bit more creative in the way we play. We get Greg back and move forward to the All-Filipino,” said Cone.
Cone also said he hopes that Caguioa will reconsider his decision to retire as his presence in the team, even if he is rarely being inserted, has a positive impact.
“I’m hoping Mark Caguioa decides to play one more year only because he’s just such a presence on the team. He’s a presence in the locker room, he’s a presence at practice. Incredibly positive influence to the younger players,” Cone said.
Prior to the start of the season, the 41-year-old Caguioa said he is still unsure if he will retire at the end of the 2020 PBA season saying he will personally assess his body if he can still play.
Aside from Slaughter and Caguioa, Cone also hopes that Negrense forward Devance will not consider retirement after being hobbled with various injuries the past few seasons.
“We will see how these guys feel after a couple of months. I’d like the team to come back intact. I think we can still compete for championships if we stay intact and get Greg back,” Cone said. “I don’t see any dramatic changes in the team.”/PN
