Barangay Ginebra San Miguel head coach Tim Cone expressed his utmost willingness to lend Scottie Thompson and Greg Slaughter to Gilas Pilipinas for the Nationals’ campaign in the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Thompson and Slaughter are being eyed by interim Gilas head coach Yeng Guiao as reinforcements for the national team in the second round of the Qualifiers this September, where they will take on Middle Eastern teams Iran and Qatar.
“I think that guys get better when they play internationally, so I think that it would be a great confidence-booster and great experience for those guys,” said Cone after their 96-84 win over Columbian Dyip, Friday.
“So, I’m all for it.”
Guiao has been keen on Slaughter since as the team is in dire need of size. Cone understands where his fellow coach is coming from, saying that having a seven-footer on the team would definitely help a lot.
“Greg can lend something to the national team nobody else can in terms of size and his ability in the paint,” said the multi-decorated tactician.
“You bring a seven-footer out there, it’s intimidating in the international play.”
But what many are really excited about is Thompson’s arrival to the program. Fans have been waiting a long time for the high-jumping guard to return, as his last appearance in a Pilipinas jersey was in 2015, during his college days.
Thompson’s name kept popping up on social media sites days ago, when Gilas’ losses versus China and Korea in the 2018 Asian Games highlighted the team’s lack of rebounding – which has always been Thompson’s strength.
“I’m happy for Scottie. I’m really happy for Scottie,” said Cone, who has projected his prized guard to evolve as a Russell Westbrook-type of player in the coming years once he develops his scoring.
“Scottie’s a special talent.”
Now, Cone hopes that both of his stars will officially make it to the team.
“I hope they both make it,” said Cone, a former national team coach himself.
“From a coaching standpoint I’m happy to get them playing internationally because when they come back, they’re a lot better, a lot more confident.”
