Ginebra guards Scottie Thompson, Kent Salado, and Nards Pinto were on opposing ends on Friday afternoon.
On one end, Thompson was supporting his alma mater University of Perpetual Help System DALTA. Meanwhile, Salado and Pinto were cheering for Arellano University.
Salado and Pinto, though, were victorious over Thompson. The Chiefs escaped the Altas, 61-59.
For Salado and Thompson, they felt nostalgic as they returned to the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
“Asaran nga kami kanina, na-paos ako eh. Siyempre, sarap sa pakiramdam na makabalik talaga – nakaka-miss ‘yung mga drums dito sa NCAA. And siyempre iba ‘yung pinaglalaruan mo; ‘yung alma mater mo, ‘yung school mo, talagang ‘yung pride sa pride. Kaya hanggang ngayon pride ko ‘yung Perpetual,” said Thompson.
“Kaya nag-aasaran kami kanina kasi pride niya ‘yung Arellano, so talagang di nawawala yung dugo namin kung san kami galing.”
“Nung pagpasok ko pa lang sa court is yung sabi ni Scottie ‘yung drums ‘yun yung unang – nakakatindig balahibo eh. Lalo na kapag makikita mo ‘yung school mo na ‘yung naglalaro,” seconded Salado.
The Altas great left a mark in the history of NCAA.
In his five years with Perpetual, Thompson became the Most Improved Player in Season 87, became a three time NCAA Mythical Team while also bagging the league’s Most Valuable Player award in Season 90.
Meanwhile, Salado helped lift Arellano to its first ever finals appearance in his sophomore year back in Season 92.
The two also shared which players impressed them so far this season.
“Idol ko ngayon si Peter Pan, si Peter Pan [Rey] Barcuma. Grabe sobrang [galing mag-laro] siguro pag naglalaro ako ngayon diyan sa NCAA kakainisin ko yan, grabe ‘yun mag pressure eh – siguro match sila ni Kent nung time na ‘yun,” Thompson talked about Bercuma who dropped 22 points a game prior.
“Tiyaka si Jielo sa Perps, si Jielo Razon, tiyaka ‘yun si Jielo nakakasama ko yan lagi sa off the court nila. And then, minsan dun naman sa practie ng Perps nakikisabay ako. Kaya mostly halos sila lahat nakilala ko.”
“Sa akin lahat naman, pero ang lalo mas kilala ko diyan is ‘yung dalawang bisaya, si [Axel] Doromal at si [Shane] Menina. May iba naman ako nakasama ko nandiyan pa ngayon, tulad ni [Art] Oliva,” said Salado.
Currently, both the Chiefs (2-1) and the Altas (1-1) are having a decent start to open the season.
And when asked what their expectations are for their respective teams this year, they got these to say.
“Para sa akin, high expectations ko sa kanila kasi nag Final Four sila last season. So, siyempre, I think ‘yung moral nila ngayon mataas, so hopefully ‘yung prediction ko sa kanila makapasok sila ng final four, and siyempre,” Thompson shared.
“Pinagpre-pray ko na makapa- finals sila na di ko naibigay dati sa Perpetual.”
“Sa akin naman nakita ko ngayon ang lineup ng Arellano is guard naman lahat dumepensa, siguro ‘yun muna sa Final Four. Pag-pray din natin na makapasok [sila] sa Final Four,” Salado opined.
