Deon Thompson finds himself reconnecting with people from the past now that his journey has taken him to the PBA – a league he’s long wanted to play in.
Much has been said about his links with Yeng Guiao and members of the Gilas team that he and Cote D’Ivoire played half a decade ago, but soon he’ll be facing an old running mate during his B.League stint just last season.
The 36-year-old forward can’t wait to go up against RJ Abarrientos, a former teammate of his during their time together with the Shinsu Brave Warriors.
“RJ is such a talented player,” he recalled of the crafty point guard, who was made the third overall pick by Ginebra in last July’s draft. “Very good. He’s very creative with the ball. He can shoot. And he’s a really good guy.”
Photo from Matthew Aquino
The two became teammates as offseason signings entering the 2023-24 season, with Abarrientos fresh off a sterling Rookie of the Year campaign with the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in the Korean Basketball League.
Thompson, on the other hand, came from a short stint with Turkish ball club Tofas S.K., which competes in the Basketbol Super Ligi.
Together, they played alongside another Filipino talent in Matthew Aquino, who’s been playing as a local in Japan’s top-flight basketball league.
“I really like both of those guys, Matthew as well,” said the University of North Carolina product, who’s been playing professionally since 2011.
Playing with talents coming from this part of Southeast Asia sure brought flashes of 2019 when he played against Gilas during the Torneo de Malaga in Spain, a pocket tilt for teams bound for the FIBA Basketball World Cup that year.
Even Guiao himself had said in a previous interview that Thompson’s showings for Cote D’Ivoire – especially against the Philippine team led by Andray Blatche – piqued his interest.
So much that he wanted to bring him to the PBA.
Turns out that the California native still remembers it all, too, recalling that it was a fun game to be a part of despite his side bowing in the end.
“Me and Coach talked about this,” said Thompson, a naturalized Ivorian. “‘Cause he was there as well, and Gabe [Norwood] was there. And I remember Big Andray Blatche was on the team. And that was a close game.
“I remember the Philippines, they ended up beating us. But it was a really fun game and I remember it just like it was yesterday.”
(C) PBA Images
Fast forward to now and the two have forged a partnership that took five years in the making, and they’re off to a good start after the Elasto Painters beat Hong Kong Eastern for their first win of the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
“Luckily I was available and I’m just happy to be here because I want to play in the PBA for a while,” said the replacement for initial choice Kenneth Kadji. “I’ve heard a lot of great things, and I’m happy that I’m here.”
Thompson himself keyed the 99-81 triumph, finishing with team-highs of 21 points and 15 rebounds together with three assists, three steals and two blocks.
He couldn’t be any happier to have helped take win no. 1 of the conference, especially after losing to Meralco in their tournament debut last Sunday – a game in which he sat out due to a slight hiccup with his documents.
“Just very happy to be able to play. Most importantly, really happy that we were able to get the win,” he said moments after the game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday night. “I’m proud of my team today.
“I think we fought, and showed a lot of character. This was a very important win for us because you don’t want to start the conference 0-and-2. So, I think it was really important for us to get this win.”
Finally, his PBA campaign has begun rolling and soon, he’ll be going up against the same people he fought during that Spanish tournament.
Just next Wednesday, he will face eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez when the Elasto Painters take on San Miguel Beer, also at NAS.
“Now, we’re 1-1, and we can prepare for next week against San Miguel, who’s a great team and has the MVP on their team as well,” Thompson said.
But really, there’s one date in particular that’s marked on his calendar: January 22, 2025, when he and Rain or Shine will be battling the Gin Kings.
“Yeah! I look forward to playing them,” Thompson stated. “I know they played in the Finals of the last conference. I think they lost, though, right? But I know they’re a talented team, and he’s a good player.
“And I know a lot of fans love him and love to watch him play – I like to watch him play. He’s very flashy, can create and make a show so he’s a fun player to watch.”
