MANILA, Philippines – After the titanic clash on Sunday night brought the best out of the two PBA giants – San Miguel Beer’s 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo and Brgy. Ginebra’s 7-foot Greg Slaughter – fans are hoping that the day they will finally see them team-up in the national team is only just a matter of time.
Fajardo, the reigning MVP, finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks while last year’s Rookie of the Year Greg Slaughter held his own with 16 points and 18 rebounds in a squeaker of a game that went to the Beermen, 79-77.
The Big Dome turned into their personal battleground in the final two minutes as the two Cebuano giants went toe-to-toe, basket for basket in a thrilling finish.
“I hope na magkasama sila. Sila naman talaga ang giant dito [sa atin]. Imagine 7-footer at 6-10. There’s nobody who can play better [than them at their position]. Maaring yung quickness nila is not like the players abroad dahil natural sa kanila ang malalaki, but these two players, no-brainer na yan na kasama dapat sa next national pool,” San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria told Philstar.com.
Fajardo also looked forward to having Slaughter on his side rather than on the opposing team.
“Nai-intimidate rin ako kay Greg. Kita niyo naman hindi ko nai-shoot yung iba,” Fajardo said. “Pero magandang opportunity na magkasama kami [sa national team].”
They were shoo-ins to team up in the country’s return to the FIBA World Cup but Slaughter along with San Miguel Beer wingman Marcio Lassiter declined the offer to join the national pool believing that the players who were there when Gilas Pilipinas won the silver medal in the FIBA Asia Men’s Championship should keep their spots.
If given another chance, Slaughter is now more than willing to heed the call.
“Absolutely, I will definitely play for the national team again. It’s an honor to play for the national team and it’s a good competition,” Slaughter said.
One cannot mention Slaughter without Fajardo next to his name. It has always been the case ever since their college years in Cebu where Slaughter’s University of Visayas and Fajardo’s University of Cebu became regular fixtures in the CESAFI Finals.
“June Mar now has a better understanding of the game. It’s always a good benchmark for me. Ever since I arrived in Cebu, there was June Mar. It’s always fun going up against him. It’s good to see him progress the way he’s playing now,” Slaughter said.
The Brgy. Ginebra center could not hide his excitement on the possibility of playing alongside Fajardo and naturalized player Andray Blatche in the international arena.
“I can’t imagine how fun that must be [playing with June Mar and Andray]. I already have Japeth around and it’s already fun. How much more playing with all of them,” Slaughter wondered.
And Austria believes that given more international exposure, Fajardo and Slaughter will dominate in the international stage the way they are dominating the PBA right now.
“Sabi nila magagaling ang mga Pilipino pero kulang lang sa size. Now we have the size. At least man lang pang-cancel sa kalaban dahil these two guys have a high basketball IQ. Proper training [siguro] and understanding the game, the coach and their teammates eh these two could deliver in the international stage,” Austria said.