Scottie Thompson is as optimistic as ever with regard to making it back to Gilas Pilipinas’ pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Thompson, who was at the Filoil Ecooil Centre on Sunday to watch Ginebra’s PBA on Tour game against Converge, shared that the metacarpal fracture on his right hand was healing faster than expected, according to his doctors.
“Right now, may target na date pero titignan pa rin next week pagnag-x-ray ako ulit. Dun malalaman yung final date kasi kahit papano naghi-heal ng mabilis,” he bared. “Yung normal na ganito, sabi nila four to six weeks pero so far, based sa second x-ray ko, mas mabilis daw yung healing.
“Good news para sa akin pero right now, hindi ko pa alam when ako makakabalik.”
The 30-year-old Davao native sustained the injury during Gilas’ camp in Kaunas, Lithuania early this month.
(C) SBP
It forced him to watch the majority of their tune-up games there.
Thompson, who is known as a player who has a high pain threshold, bared that he is no longer having a hard time moving his fingers.
“Yung pain level nung una, sobrang layo nung difference. Ngayon, less pain and medyo nagagalaw ko na yung ibang daliri ko. Nung first, hindi ko talaga magalaw. Yung ngayon, middle finger na lang ang kailangan ma-stabilize,” he added.
Though there is no timetable yet for his return, this is a good development for the Philippines.
Early Sunday, big man Kai Sotto is questionable for the August event after suffering from back spasms caused by the wear and tear of the season he had.
Yet to arrive in the country as well is Jordan Heading, who is also nursing a bad back.
As he awaits his doctor’s advice, Thompson, a former PBA Most Valuable Player who appeared in six games in this FIBA cycle, is staying ready.
“Staying ready and staying in shape lang.”
(With reports from Jose Gabriel Ignacio)
