Games today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

12:00 nn A             Vietnam vs. Myanmar         Men

14:15 pm B           Thailand vs Indonesia         Men

18:00 pm A           Malaysia vs Thailand          Women

20:15 pm A           Singapore vs Philippines    Men

MANILA, Philippines – Height is might.

And this might be the real reason Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone choose 7-footer Greg Slaughter as last-minute replacement of injured RR Pogoy in PH men’s basketball team’s quest for fifth straight gold in the 30^th Southeast Asian Games and 18^th overall.

The 7-foot behemoth who is otherwise known as “Gregzilla” now completes the Nationals’ cast as they kick off their title-retention bid in the SEAG against Singapore at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday.

The sweet-shooting Pogoy is out with a back injury.

According to a Philippine Star report, Slaughter was previously cut from Cone’s roster after sustaining a thumb injury last month.

But he has since recovered and returned to action for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarters, prompting the Gilas mentor to reconsider him for the vacant spot, alongside fellow Gin Kings Scottie Thompson and Arthur dela Cruz.

Cone had earlier said Slaughter needed to convince him that he’s 100 percent and the former Ateneo slotman apparently did that in time for the final day of fielding the lineup during yesterday’s team managers’ meeting.

This will be Slaughter’s return trip to the SEAG, seeking his second gold.

Slaughter having played previously as part of the winning “Sinag” team in 2011 in Jakarta under coach Norman Black.

He will be reunited with 2011 batchmate Kiefer Ravena in this SEAG campaign and will form a dreaded frontline with longtime rival June Mar Fajardo and Ginebra teammate Japeth Aguilar. (IAMIGO/CNS)