Barangay Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua refuted claims that the team did not offer Greg Slaughter a new contract.
Speaking during the 2020 PBA press launch at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay, Chua explained that Slaughter -- whose decision "take a break from basketball" after his contract lapsed shocked management -- was actually the one who did not approach the team for an extension.
"Alam niyo sa basketball, sa PBA or sa corporate, ikaw ang lalapit sa team. You are going to ask, 'Expired na ako, baka pwede mag-renew.' Hindi kami ang lalapit para tanungin kung ire-renew ka na namin kasi sa dami ng players, hindi namin malalaman," he remarked.
Chua also denied that Ginebra was planning to ship the 31-year-old center away and said that he had not reached out to Slaughter after his announcement.
"Kung 'di galing sa'min, 'wag kayong maniwala. May rumor, ite-trade daw. May rumor na walang kontrata. Eh paano magkaka-kontrata eh naglalaro pa? Paanong may trade rumor na ganito? Eh kung may rumor na ganon, punta kayong PBA para tignan kung may sinubmit kaming trade form. Ganon lang kasimple," he continued.
"I never talked to him. Kahit higher management, though nagkausap ata sila ni coach Tim (Cone) nung closeout meeting, sila nakapagusap," Chua added. "Ayun lang tapos lumipad na ng America. Desisyon niya 'yon."
As the Philippine Cup draws closer, Chua said Ginebra will continue to forge on ahead given how the team had won a title back in 2016 without Slaughter, who was then recovering from a torn ACL.
"I think Ginebra is ready because Ginebra won a championship with and without him. Naramdaman na nang pareho. Di katulad ng San Miguel, they've been winning championships kasama si June Mar (Fajardo)," he commented.
"Wala naman kaming binago sa players, andon pa rin mga beterano, kaya 'yung adjustments alam na nila gagawin."
When asked if he or any of the team's higher-ups will reach out to Slaughter in the near future, Chua said they're going to respect the big man's decision instead.
"'Di naman na siguro kailangan kasi wala na siyang ni-reach na kahit na sino eh," he said. "Again, that's his decision, he's old enough. No one's to question him, or me, bakit nya ginawa, bakit ganito. Kasi matanda na. Nasa tamang edad na siya para magdesisyon kung anong pakay niya or what he wants."