Scottie Thompson (with ball) tormented Hong Kong in their last meeting as he helped Gilas to a 94-64 win. —FIBA PHOTO
A healthy Scottie Thompson should bode well for Gilas Pilipinas when he returns to action in the second window of the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers this Thursday.
“Scottie’s presence brings everyone back into their roles. And now you have this guy with enormous energy,” said national coach Tim Cone.
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After missing the Olympic qualifiers in Latvia due to a nagging back problem, the all-round playmaker is ready for another National Five call-up when the Philippines take on New Zealand in a clash of unbeaten teams at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Thompson, a cone guy at Barangay Ginebra and a former MVP in the PBA, lets players like Chris Newsome and Dwight Ramos play in their natural positions – something they weren’t able to do to the fullest when Gilas was trying to secure an Olympic victory Berth in Riga in July.
The Philippines (2-0 win-loss) led the continental meet in several statistical departments through the first window last February, including points per game (100), field goal percentage (51%) and assists per night (April 31). ,5). Cone’s charges are also undoubtedly the most efficient in the tournament with a rating of 147.5.
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And there’s no denying that much of that was possible thanks to Thompson’s good playmaking, as he also leads Gilas with nine assists per night.
But to Cone, Thompson’s true value lies in the defensive prowess he brings to the Gilas’ backcourt, which also includes CJ Perez.
Complete back area
“Scottie has great size for a point guard. He can defend, and New(some) can defend, and Dwight can defend. We have a really good defensive backcourt. And CJ is really our most athletic defender as well,” he said.
“I think we tend to think, ‘Wow, this guy is a really good player because he can shoot, he can do this or he can do that.’ But our attitude is that you have to be a two-way player. And honestly, it starts with defense.”
This now-full backfield will be put to the test when the world No. 34 Filipinos take on the 22nd-ranked Tall Blacks (also 2-0), who will have battle-tested Corey Webster as captain.
Gilas have abandoned their Inspire camp and have now moved their preparations to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, where they will also face a Hong Kong side they beat soundly in the summer.
The Nationals earned a 96-82 victory over Meralco in their only preseason game for this Fiba window. The 7-foot-1 Kai Sotto, who suffered a concussion from his B.League team, led the team in Monday’s friendly in Laguna and left a good impression on Bolts coach Luigi Trillo.
“Their starters played well, especially Justin (Brownlee), Dwight Ramos and Kai. They led with up to 16 people,” Trillo told the Inquirer. “We drew it twice. The new guys struggled a bit, but that was to be expected. Overall they looked impressive and were on the right track.
“You’re coming with me. They can beat New Zealand if they try hard,” he continued.
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A victory over the two home stands will save Gilas from complications and ensure a guaranteed place in the main tournament, which will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in August next year.