Greg Slaughter slower than fellow giant June Mar Fajardo, says Yeng Guiao

Sports5 file/Paul Mata

Yeng Guiao became the first opposing coach to get a closer look at Barangay Ginebra San Miguel rookie Greg Slaughter on Wednesday, when his Elasto Painters took on the Gin Kings in a tuneup match.

The coach was impressed by Slaughter’s size, but said the 7-foot rookie still needed to improve to the PBA game.

“He has a lot of work to do, but the size is an inherent advantage. You cannot coach height. You cannot make height out of nothing,” said Guiao, who noted that Slaughter was slower than another young giant, June Mar Fajardo, who was Petron’s top overall pick last year.

“Andun naman yung materyal, but he’s not like a Fajardo na mas mobile. I think he has to work on his mobility,” Guiao told InterAKTV.

Slaughter’s presence in the shaded lane was enough to alter some shots of his smaller counterparts from Rain or Shine, but he had a difficult time on offense.

Slaughter admitted he has to improve on certain things.

“There are some things which I need to work on. I need to jell more with the team, get the plays. But there’s plenty of time we can work on our jelling, so I’m optimistic about my future,” said Slaughter.