Ginebra is still unsure whether or not Scottie Thompson will be healthy enough to see action in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.
As far as head coach Tim Cone is concerned, the former league MVP is still undergoing rehabilitation for his nagging back injury, which was the reason why he missed the first six games of their campaign in last season’s Philippine Cup.
It is also why he had to beg off from Gilas Pilipinas’ participation in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Latvia just last week.
“He was not good at all before we left for the Inspire camp. He had taken a turn for the worst since the semifinals of the last conference, just having trouble standing up and walking around,” the champion mentor disclosed.
“We don’t know where he is at this point. I’ll talk to him in the next couple of days and figure out if he may miss some time. We’ll figure it out later.”
Should Thompson have to sit out, Ginebra will yet again suffer a tough blow in terms of manpower.
The team is still missing the services of Jeremiah Gray and Jamie Malonzo. Both are still recovering from leg injuries.
Cone had been vocal in saying how much the Kings need help in addressing their depth issues, and the upcoming Rookie Draft could be an option.
The 65-year-old head coach was actually in attendance for Day 2 of the Draft Combine at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig along with some of his deputies, all of them looking for prospects to use their no. 10 overall selection on.
Also, Ginebra will be picking twice in the second round of the proceedings set on July 14 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati, and the coaching staff is of course hoping to get some quality players through those picks.
“It’s 12 strong players in this Draft,” Cone opined. “We’re gonna fall somewhere along the line in the first round and maybe a couple of those guys will slip and go to the second round and we’ll get some surprises in the first round.
“But if there’s 12 really good ones, that means – we’re no 10 – we’re gonna get one of them. Whoever slips, we’ll get.”
