Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2023 FIBA World Cup

Chot Reyes confident Scottie Thompson will be better after Jordan game


BOCAUE — Scottie Thompson has made and missed big free throws in his stellar Ginebra eight-year career.

However, even the reigning PBA Most Valuable Player admitted that the most heartbreaking misses he had were the ones who could not make for Gilas Pilipinas on Monday evening at the Philippine Arena here.

The Philippines rallied from a 25-point lead against Jordan, trimming the lead down to one with 31.8 seconds left.

However, Thompson, a 58.3-percent foul shooter in the ongoing 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup, missed both of his free throws.

Eventually, Gilas’ four-game winning streak in the qualifiers was snapped by the visiting Falcons, 91-90.

But Gilas head coach Chot Reyes is not pinning the blame on Thompson.

“Like I told Scottie, don’t get down on himself. He would not have gotten to the free-throw line if he didn’t get the rebound anyway. Walang kumuha ng rebound na yun e,” said Reyes as Thompson had snatched an offensive board off of a Justin Brownlee miss before being fouled by Mohammad Hussein.

There have been numerous moments in the history of the Philippine Men’s National Basketball Team that are reminiscent of what happened against Jordan.

The most painful of which was, of course, Olsen Racela’s crucial miss against Korea in the 2022 Busan Asian Games.FIBA-WCQ-PHI-vs.-JOR-Scottie-Thompson-8636 Chot Reyes confident Scottie Thompson will be better after Jordan game 2023 FIBA World Cup Basketball Gilas Pilipinas News  - philippine sports news

“Those things happen and Scottie will be a much better player after that. That’s what happened before in our history. I know you remember those things in the past,” said Reyes.

“It was his efforts that he got the offensive rebound. Unfortunately, he missed. When it matters, I know Scottie won’t miss again.”

Thompson has been spectacular in the Qualifiers, averaging 6.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in six games played.

#ReadMore  Gilas failed to match energy shown against Myanmar, laments coach Chot

Against Jordan, he was also part of the Gilas Five – that also includes the likes of Brownlee, Jamie Malonzo, Jordan Heading, Dwight Ramos, and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. – that sparked the hijack attempt.

“We just tweaked some things in our defense during halftime and made a more intentional effort to counter what they were doing defensively. We gave up 60 points at halftime. Tim Cone was almost having a heart attack at halftime. We only gave up half of that in the second half,” said Reyes.

“Great adjustment kapos lang talaga.”

Written By

Writer. Letranite. Basketball nerd and a life-long Los Angeles Lakers fan. My love for sports brought me here.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Despite coming off a concussion, Kai Sotto delivered a stellar performance, filling the stat sheet in Gilas Pilipinas’ landmark victory over New Zealand on...

Basketball

Nearly two years into his tenure with Gilas Pilipinas Men, Justin Brownlee has repeatedly proven that the Philippines’ success on the international basketball stage...

Basketball

Prior to the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas Men’s head coach Tim Cone promised fans a highly motivated...

Basketball

After four lopsided defeats, Gilas Pilipinas finally solved the New Zealand puzzle. Kai Sotto and Justin Brownlee rallied Gilas to their first-ever win against...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas has kept the same lineup for its upcoming FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifier against New Zealand on Thursday, with Justin Brownlee once...

Basketball

Filipino-American big man Quentin Millora-Brown has made a significant impact so far in his one-and-done season with University of the Philippines in the UAAP...

Basketball

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has officially appointed Alfrancis Chua as the program director and team manager for both the Gilas Pilipinas Boys’ and...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas continue to navigate around manpower woes but the return of Scottie Thompson and June Mar Fajardo is a reason why Coach Tim...

Advertisement