This could be by far the best stretch of Scottie Thompson’s career.
After helping the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel clinch the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup crown and winning the Finals Most Valuable Player plum at the same time, Scottie Thompson is about to head onto a much bigger stage – the international stage to be exact.
The high-leaping 6-foot-1 guard has just been invited by Gilas Pilipinas to beef up the Nationals for the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers set this September versus Iran and Qatar.
Should he make the cut, it will be Thompson’s first time to don the country’s colors since 2015, when he played with Sinag Pilipinas and won gold medals both in the SEA Games and in the SEABA Championships.
“I think ‘yun nga, sobrang nagpapasalamat ako kay God kasi hindi ko expected ‘yung Finals MVP tapos ngayon may call up ako sa Gilas,” expressed the 25-year-old.
“Ang bilis, ang bilis ng lahat ng pangyayari sa buhay ko.”
Thompson knows the amount of pressure that comes with wearing a jersey with “PILIPINAS” emblazoned on the chest, but he declared that he’s also excited to do such, too, since an opportunity like this is rare.
“Siyempre pressured at the same time excited kasi hindi lahat ng player nabibigyan ng ganitong pagkakataon. Hindi madali pero paghihirapan ko,” said the proud son of Digos, Davao Del Sur.
“Willing ako para sa bansa natin.”
Surely, this upcoming national team stint will be different from the ones he had three years ago. But Thompson is looking forward the challenges, especially the chance of being mentored by Yeng Guiao.
The veteran bench strategist personally expressed his wish to include Thompson – along with Greg Slaughter, Marcio Lassiter, and Alex Cabagnot – in the Gilas team that will take on the Middle Eastern squads on mid-September.
“First time ko mag-iiba ng coach sa PBA.
“Kay coach Yeng, I think kailangan mo i-trust yung process. Trust the process sa kada coach. Lahat naman tama yung tinuturo ng mga coaches. Nasa players na lang yun,” said Thompson.
Guiao and Gilas will immediately buckle down for work on Monday as they set their sights on the Qualifiers. Asked if he will attend the practice at the Meralco Gym – practically Gilas’ home turf – Thompson said he will.
“Oo, sinabihan na ako ni comm (PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial) so pupunta ako. Excited [na ako].”
