For the record, Scottie Thompson and Baser Amer are really good friends off the court, even teaming up to give the country a 2015 Southeast Asian Games gold medal in 2015.
But Amer and the San Beda Red Lions were the constant thorn on the side of Thompson and the Perpetual Help Altas during their collegiate days.
For three straight seasons, the Red Lions — a team that has lorded over the NCAA for the past decade due to their size and depth — eliminated the Altas, a scrappy yet top-heavy squad, in the Final Four from Seasons 88-90.
This time around, Thompson, a 6-foot-1 guard, is now backed by giants with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. And as they say, what goes around comes around.
“Difference talaga is madami kaming bigs ngayon,” the Ginebra sophomore shared about the difference of last season’s championship team to this year. “Although may advantage din yung kalaban namin kasi medyo bumagal kami. Like nung TNT series, nahirapan kami sa bilis nila.
“Pero dun namin nakita kung paano mag-coach si coach Tim [Cone],” Thompson added. “Na-appreciate namin siya dahil sa mga adjustments niya.
“Isa talaga siya sa best sa PBA.”
Even with Greg Slaughter back in this campaign, Thompson had no problems adjusting to his “new” teammate, posting norms of 7.81 points, 6.44 rebounds, and 5.44 assists this conference.
“Wala naman akong binago. Kasi laro ko naman stay aggressive lang lagi, takbo takbo lang naman ako sa court,” said the two-time All-Star.
“Kahit anong mangyari, aggressive lang ako.”
Like them, their new arch-rivals Meralco Bolts have also improved. And it started with the vast growth in Baser Amer’s game.
“Sobrang ganda ng nilalaro ni Baser,” said Thompson, who like Amer hails from Davao. “Kaya sila naging successful ngayon dahil sa nilalaro niya at malaking addition din yung pagdagdag ni kuya Ranidel [De Ocampo] at Mike Tolomia ngayon.
“Mas madami silang bala this year kumpara last year.”
Still, Thompson plans to be the bane for Amer in the pro ranks, just like what Amer had done to him back in college.
“Siguro dahil pula sila noon [kaya ganoon]. Ngayon ako naman yung pula so sana ma-eliminate namin sila ulit.”
