MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra needs all the help it can get as it remained winless in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup and that includes star center Greg Slaughter.

Slaughter, who has been sidelined since February due to an ankle injury, is raring to return in the Gin Kings’ game against the Blackwater Elite on Friday, May 11. 

“There’s a possibility he (Slaughter) might play Friday, there’s a possibility. He still has to get through a few days of practice and see how he is,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.

“Obviously if he plays, he’ll be in minute restriction. We won’t play him full minutes, probably play him 20-24 minutes if he plays the first game and try to work with him.”

Without Slaughter, Ginebra lost its first two games to start the mid-season conference.

The Gin Kings suffered an 89-108 beating from the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and a 92-96 loss to the TNT KaTropa. 

Against the Elite, who are on a downward spiral after failing to bag a win in their first 4 games, the 7-footer’s presence would be a huge boost for Ginebra. 

It only depends how the 29-year-old performs in practice, Cone said. 

“Needless to say, we need to be very careful with him. We don’t want him to go down again but we’ll see how he does this week and maybe, he’ll play Friday. Right now, I’d say that’s probably little less than 50-50.”

Ginebra and Blackwater will face each other at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna. – Rappler.com