Scottie Thompson leaves his future with Gilas Pilipinas in the hands of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas now that the host nation has concluded its participation in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
“Depende, depende. For now, hindi pa namin alam yung mangyayari. Di pa namin alam yung next sa program ng SBP. Depends sa situation,” said the reigning PBA Most Valuable Player.
The Ginebra star averaged 1.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in five games in this competition. It was a challenging experience for the 30-year-old guard as he is accustomed to dominating games in the PBA.
He clearly struggled against much taller guards and faced a lot of criticism for his performances throughout the tournament.
“Totally different kasi ang FIBA is world — all the best teams, all the best players na naglalaro dito so talagang ibang experience to. Iba-iba sa World Cup. When it comes to playing style, merong American style, European style, African style so talagang iba’t iba yung playing style,” said the 2015 SEA Games gold medalist.
“Talagang yung adjustment as a player and as a team iba.”
Regardless of what happens in the future, Thompson will always be a part of the Gilas team that achieved a historic home soil victory for the first time. He will have Jordan Clarkson to thank for that winning feeling.
The Utah Jazz star scored 34 points to lead the home team to victory against China, giving this otherwise disappointing campaign a somewhat happy ending.
“Talagang yun yung key, yun yung key sa panalo namin si Jordan. Especially coming sa kanya, sobrang positive niya. So kailangan namin sabayan yung pagiging aggressive niya and talagang gusto niya manaloand of course lahat kami gusto manalo,” said Thompson.
“Good thing nakakuha kami ng isang panalo.”
