JAKARTA - National coach Yeng Guiao said he will invite Ginebra rising star Scottie Thompson to be part of the Gilas Pilipinas team for the coming window of the Asian qualifiers for the 2019 Fiba World Cup.
Speaking at the end of the Philippine team's practice on Thursday, Guiao said he will be inviting PBA players to bolster the existing lineup for the Asian Games for Fiba World Cup qualifiers against Iran and Qatar next month.
SPIN.ph previously reported that Guiao is eyeing Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot, Greg Slaughter and Ian Sangalang to fill holes in the Asiad team that will lose NBA player Jordan Clarkson and either Christian Standhardinger or Stanley Pringle - who are not eligible to play as locals under Fiba rules.
On Thursday, Guiao said he is also planning to invite Thompson, the do-it-all guard who is coming off a Finals MVP performance in Ginebra's run to the PBA Commissioner's Cup championship opposite San Miguel Beer.
"Actually I haven’t talked to them so it’s still their choice but they will be invited," said Guiao, who will be calling the shots for Gilas in the two qualifiers in lieu of the suspended Chot Reyes.
"Nasabi ko na, na si Marcio, si AlexCabagnot, sila Scottie Thompson, so far yun lang muna," he added.
If ever, the Gilas appearance will be the first for the high-flying Thompson, the former Perpetual star who in just two seasons with Ginebra has become one of the fastest-rising stars in the pro league.
Thompson has previous Philippine team experience, having played for the Sinag side that won a gold medal in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and in the Seaba Championship.
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