Ginebra is taking on a ‘balancing act’ now that Scottie Thompson has returned to action after a few months on the sidelines due to a back injury.
The 2022 PBA MVP played in the Kings’ conquest of Blackwater on Friday night but the team remains cautious especially on his nagging back issue, which caused him to miss their first six games of the Season 48 Philippine Cup.
“I think we’ll know that tomorrow because he’s only had a couple of practices … We’ll find out how sore he is tomorrow,” said head coach Tim Cone on his star guard’s status shortly after their 105-86 victory at the Philsports Arena.
“I was caught between trying to keep him on the floor to get him into rhythm and get him back into the flow of the game, but also I didn’t want to overextend and play ’cause we have a game on Sunday,” the champion mentor added.
“So, it’s kind of a balancing act with him at this point,” Cone continued as they will play NorthPort on Sunday. “Hopefully, he’ll be fine tomorrow.”
Thompson logged 26 minutes and 39 seconds and had four points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in his first game back since Game 3 of the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup semis, where Ginebra lost to San Miguel via sweep.
The 30-year-old playmaker admitted that there is still pain on his back, but was quick to add that it is more tolerable as compared to before.
“Adrenaline. Hindi naman siya sobrang masakit, meron lang nagbo-bother na kuryente, bababa sa legs ko. Pero nakokonti naman ‘yung pain,” he said.
The pain won’t really go away, after all, since it has been an issue he’s facing since his collegiate days with Perpetual. Thompson actually has an option to have it repaired surgically, but it’s a risk that he isn’t willing to take.
All that he does now is constant strengthening on his back, and that won’t ever change now that he has returned to the fold for Ginebra.
“To be honest, since nung college ako, nandito na siya eh. Kasi hindi naman ako na-opera. ‘Yung slipped disc ko, ‘yung sciatic nerve, ‘yung kuryente bumababa. ‘Yun nga, lagi lang strengthening,” said the former NCAA MVP.
“Kahit nung start ng PBA career ko, hindi naman na siya nawala. Kailangan lang siya malakas palagi. Kasi alam niyo naman ‘pag slipped disc, iba talaga. Hindi mo alam kung kailan siya mag-trigger, kung matamaan lang,” he added.
“‘Yun lang ‘yung dinidisiplina ko, ‘yung strengthening ko palagi, especially ‘yung mga puyat iniiwasan ko. Hopefully magtuloy-tuloy and maging healthy.”
