Ginebra stalwart Scottie Thompson once begged off from the national Gilas squad before finally agreeing again to come back and answer the call for national duty.
When invited by then Gilas coach Yeng Guiao for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, Thompson was still doubtful about himself, after a so-so performance in previous FIBA Qualifiers.
“He felt was not ready. He felt that he needed to improve on his game and skills,” said Guiao in a previous interview. “He was not delivering startling numbers but he was providing intangibles that made the team look good.”
Thompson believed the slot could be used for other more deserving players.
But after much soul-searching and a couple of years of battle with the Covid-19 pandemic, Thompson finally said yes again to the national team. His first two outings in two earlier games versus Lebanon and Saudi Arabia this year were not spectacular nor bad either.
On Thursday (early Friday in Manila), Thompson unleashed an all-around court brilliance in helping Gilas Pilipinas beat a tough Jordan squad, 74-66, in the Fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Amman, Jordan.
The numbers—eight points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, and a steal—he put up for Gilas actually more beautiful than they appear.
Rebounding against taller opponents, scoring when necessary, and giving the ball to teammates to complete spectacular plays were the same stellar scenes that made him shine in a Ginebra uniform in the PBA.
Thompson said he was just doing what he does best and this time he showed he was ready to face the world in Gilas in uniform.
“Doon talaga ako komportable. Kung ano yung best ko na maitutulong sa team, ‘yun ang ginagawa ko sa Ginebra at hoping ako noon na madala ko dito sa Gilas. Thankful ako kasi napapakita ko ‘yun,” he said in an interview by several online media.
Several of his points were made almost on dead-plays, salvaging the offense when needed most.
“Hindi ako focused sa scoring but ‘pag may chance, gina-grab ko lang kasi maraming key players diyan. Nandiyan si CJ [Perez], nandiyan si Ray Parks, Dwight [Ramos],” he added.
Thompson looks forward to the Gilas’ game against Saudi Arabia on Monday. And against more teams in next year’s World Cup proper.
Meantime, he’s thankful for the opportunity to serve the country again and came prepared to play the role given to him as the team’s point guard.
“Everybody should step up. Kaunti lang ‘yung point guard and thankful kasi kahit papaano naibigay ko ‘yung best ko dito sa game,”he said.