Gilas Pilipinas definitely missed the Filipino crowd early in their game against Qatar.
Though the Philippine Men’s National Basketball Team was heavily-favored to plow through the Qataris before the game, it did not show in the first 20 minutes.
Just like the temperature inside the freezing SMART Araneta Coliseum, Gilas shot cold from downtown, going just 1-for-15 from distance. Qatar, who had an average age of 24 years old, played with determination – leading by as much as 17 points in the first half.
“Dapat talaga from the start yung energy namin nandoon, dapat na-pressure namin sila. Sobrang sama lang talaga kasi lahat ng tira nila pumapasok,” Scottie Thompson recalled.
“Lahat naman especially yung group namin nung third [quarter], willing mag-sakripisyo. Total team effort talaga.”
After a pep talk from fiery head coach Yeng Guiao during the break, Gilas showed their form. With Scottie Thompson steering the wheel, the Philippines went on a 13-2 run. And they needed to rile themselves up and find inspiration to fuel them.
“Nung naghahabol kami, dun namin na-feel na kailangang kailangan talaga yung crowd. Siguro nga nanibago kami, tahimik parang tune-up game. Pero sabi nga ni coach Yeng, getting used to it na kamo habang tumatagal yung game,” added the 6-foot-1 utility guard after Gilas’ 92-81 win.
“Tsaka ang ganda nung sigaw ni Allein [Maliksi] tsaka [Raymond] Almazan, parang ten-thousand yung nanonood.”
Thompson finished the game with six rebounds, three points, two assists, and a steal. Moreover, he was able to pick up the respect of renowned Qatar head coah Tim Lewis, who grew frustrated as the game wore on due to Thompson’s tenacious rebounding.
Now a marked man in the Asian basketball scene, the 25-year-old hopes he will be called up to duty once again for the fifth window. But for now, he is missing his fellow Gin Kings and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
“Next window wala pa naman eh, so antay-antay lang. For now prepare muna kami sa mother teams namin. Nakaka-miss din Ginebra,” he shared.
“Hopefully next time, mas maganda yun pag may nanonood, dagdag energy sa amin.”
