Home The first day of Greg Slaughter?s run at making the Philippine national basketball team was a smashing success.
The prized 6-foot-11 tower of eight-time Cesafi champion University of the Visayas (UV) lived up to expectations during his first stint of training under Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, at the Moro Lorenzo gym at the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Manila.
Slaughter, who led the Green Lancers to their eighth straight title in the Cesafi last month was tapped by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to attend the three-day big man camp under the watchful eye of Iran?s former head coach, Toroman.
According to Slaughter, he was made to participate in several intense big man drills, which left him out of breath quickly.
?They had me do a lot of drills. It wasn?t hard stuff but I got winded quickly. It was very tiring,? Slaughter said in an interview with Cebu Daily News.
Slaughter participated in the training sessions along with two Fil-American players and Mac Baracael of the Far Eastern University.
Slaughter considered the opportunity to be a grand one and is hopeful of being selected into the national squad.
He also added that the training would be ultimately good for him individually and the entire UV squad, as they prepare for their stint in the Philippine Collegiate Champion?s League.
?I think the potential to improve is limitless. They are going to have me train and have all these international competitions. Toroman is a great coach who brings with him an impressive resume, that includes bringing Iran to the Olympics and producing the very first Iranian player in the NBA,? Slaughter said.
Multi-titled head coach Elmer ?Boy? Cabahug also conceded that the chance for his big man to improve will go a long way towards helping the UV Green Lancers.
He is also in Manila to accompany his center and learn from Toroman.
?It will be a plus factor for Greg and UV as he will be able to train with the best young big men in the country today,? Cabahug said.