Battle-ready Scottie: Digos City native has fully recovered from a hand injury

ANTICIPATION runs high for Scottie Thompson, a native of Digos City, as he gears up for his inaugural appearance in the Fiba World Cup 2023. 

Despite recently recovering from a hand injury sustained during exhibition games in Italy last July, Thompson expressed his swift recovery and unwavering readiness to make a 100 percent contribution to the Philippine men's basketball team. 

The Philippines, Indonesia, and Jakarta co-host the basketball extravaganza from August 25 to September 10. 

Thompson returned to practice on August 13.

During his teammates' preparatory games in China, Thompson diligently focused on conditioning himself for their return to the Philippines. "Nung nasa China sila wala akong ibang ginawa kundi nagpakondisyon para pagbalik nila maging ready ako (When my teammates were in China, I dedicated myself entirely to conditioning so that I'd be fully prepared once they return)," Thompson shared in an interview with the media on August 23.

Thompson's basketball journey has been characterized by consistent growth. 

Emerging from his performance in the Palarong Pambansa during high school, he progressed to play for the University of Perpetual Help Altas in college, swiftly making a name for himself. 

Transitioning from a sixth man to a rookie, he elevated his game and clinched the NCAA Season 90 Most Valuable Player award in 2014.

Selected as the fifth overall pick by Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Thompson initially played in the shadow of PBA luminaries LA Tenorio and Mark Caguioa. However, he ultimately led the team to multiple championships under the guidance of Tim Cone, securing an impressive seven title rings with Ginebra.

Today, Thompson is a pivotal player for the Gilas Pilipinas national team, showcasing his versatility and basketball IQ in various tournaments. 

His instrumental role in Ginebra's seven PBA championships is undeniable, with two PBA Finals MVP awards and a season MVP title in 2021.

During the Fiba Asia elimination rounds, Thompson's performance was noteworthy, averaging 6.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and one steal per game. 

Notably, he exhibited remarkable efficiency on the court, boasting a shooting accuracy of 62.5 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc within an average of 23.7 minutes of playtime.

The Philippines, ranked 40th, was scheduled to play against the No. 23 Dominican Republic on Friday evening, August 25, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. The Filipinos will clash against Angola on August 27 and Italy on August 29.

"Ni-reready na namin yung sarili namin, talagang all-out na kami (We're fully primed and ready, giving our all)," Thompson said. ICE