NorthPort pulled off a blockbuster move in the offseason when it acquired Greg Slaughter from Barangay Ginebra.

Two games into the PBA Philippines, though, the seven-foot big man has yet to suit up for the Batang Pier.

Slaughter once again watched from the sidelines as NorthPort notched its first victory of the conference with 115-79 mauling of Phoenix on Wednesday, July 21.

Batang Pier head coach Pido Jarencio said it was Slaughter who opted not to play in their first two matches.

“In our first game, Greg said that he did not want to play. But he wanted to suit up just to cheer the players,” Jarencio said in Filipino as Slaughter also sat out their conference-opening loss to Meralco on Friday, July 16.

“Now, he was not fit to play, so I told him to just wear civilian clothes.”

Even without Slaughter, NorthPort still managed to crush the cold-shooting Phoenix thanks to promising performances from rookies Troy Rike and Jamie Malonzo.

Rike finished with 20 points on a 6-of-7 clip from three-point range to go with 8 rebounds and 3 blocks, while Malonzo delivered 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Jarencio said there is a possibility that Slaughter will make his Batang Pier debut on Sunday, July 25, when they go up against San Miguel.

“[Greg] already practiced with us, he already had his walkthrough, which is helpful for him and us as a team,” Jarencio said. – Rappler.com