One of the most tragic stories coming from the 91st Season of the NCAA was the stunning elimination round exit of the University of Perpetual Help DALTA System Altas, thus ending Scottie Thompson’s illustrious career.
Thompson, the NCAA Most Valuable Player back in Season 90, had had a career-year, posting norms of 14.22 points, 11.11 rebounds, and 8.72 dimes to lead the Altas to a 11-7 slate. Normally that record would be enough to send a team to a Final Four berth, but Season 91 was not an ordinary year.
The 22-year-old has since been drafted to crowd-darlings Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and is set to have a breakout conference come July. After leaving the San Juan Arena in tears a season ago, Thompson returned to the FilOil Flying V Centre for the first time with the Altas, now as a spectator.
The Altas lost a close game to the Chiefs in their season opener. Perpetual were without big man Bright Akhuetie in the game due to injury but the Las Piñas squad gave everything they got before succumbing to late-game jitters. Moreover, floor generals Jack Hao and Kieth Pido, who have replaced Thompson in the lineup, only combined for only 14 points.
“Siguro kelangan nilang mag-step up mas lalo na yung mga guwardiya,” Thompson said about the team’s backcourt. “Kelangan nila mag-take over kasi kayang kaya naman talaga nila. Naiwan lang sila nung last [quarter].”
Gab Dagangon was the sole bright spot in the game as he notched a double-double with 17 points, nine coming from downtown, and 15 rebounds. The Ginebra guard shared that Dagangon should be the team’s spiritual leader both on and off the court. “Si Gab talaga kelangan na niya magpaka-beterano sa team. Siya na yung titingilaan nila mas lalo na pag crucial time na,” he said. “Pag crucial time na walang ng iba, siya na lang at yung ibang beterano, sila Dizon.”
On the other end, Thompson also witnessed another spectacular outing from former Gilas teammate, rival, and friend Jio Jalalon. Jalalon tallied 25 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals in the win that impressed his friend.
“Si Jio kumbaga puwede na niyang kunin yung trophy ng MVP. Talagang pang-MVP na yung laro niya at ready na siya sa pros,” he added.
Looking forward, the Davao del Sur-native believes that the Altas can go all the way this year, for the one thing that he had been deprived of during his stay with the Las Piñas squad. “Inaasahan ko na mag-Finals sila,” he concluded.
