THE homecoming didn’t turn out fine for former Perpetual Help star Scottie Thompson, but nonetheless, he sees a bright future for his beloved alma mater.
The Barangay Ginebra star showed up in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament for the first time on Tuesday as the Altas lost steam and bowed against the Arellano Chiefs, 66-59, before a huge crowd at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.
Thompson joined fellow Ginebra personnel coach Olsen Racela and deputy Richard Del Rosario at the Perpetual Help bench in his capacity as team manager.
Too bad, the Altas were held down to just four points in the final quarter and lost the game they controlled in the middle quarters.
“Sayang lang hindi namin nakuha yung panalo. But I think we still have a chance (Final Four) kailangan lang maging positive yung mga bata,” said Thompson after personally watching the team for the first time this season.
The Altas suffered a second straight loss and fell to a tie with Arellano at 5-8.
But despite the downward spiral in the second round, the 31-year-old Thompson is still satisfied with the way the season has been turning out for the Altas considering they have a new program under new coach Olsen Racela, while losing a number of key players from last season.
“First season ni coach O. Of course andun yung expectations ng lahat sa Perpetual community,” he said of the Barangay Ginebra assistant coach. “We’re happy na yung mga bata lumalaban hanggang dulo kinakapos nga lang kami sa huli. But overall, I think madadala ni coach O dito yung experience niya (as player and coach).’
The former PBA MVP is actually thinking long term for his alma mater after accepting the job as team manager heading to the new season.
“Sana yung rebuilding namin dito sa Perpetual magbunga. Siyempre ako being a Perpetualite yun ang gusto kong makita na makarating and makakuha ng championship yung Perpetual, kasi yun ang hindi ko naibigay dati sa school namin,” said Thompson.
The Altas were a perennial Final Four contender during Thompson’s time with the program from 2011-14, a stretch that saw him bagged the NCAA MVP in Season 90.
His jersey no. 6 was officially retired by the school in 2023.
Thompson managed to sneak watching a Perpetual Help game amidst his busy schedule after Barangay Ginebra was given a two-day break by management shortly upom clinching the last finals berth in the PBA Governors Cup.
“Dayoff muna at nakapag-recover sa katawan. Pero bukas balik na kami sa practice,” said Thompson as the Kings prepare for Game 1 of the title series against TNT Tropang Giga starting Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
But he admitted missing the college atmosphere in the NCAA.
“Iba pa rin yung atmosphere dito sa NCAA. Nakaka-excite pa rin. And pinaka-best memories ko dito yung students ng Perpetual especially dito sa FilOil Arena. Home ko ito dati, dito lagi naglalaro yung NCAA,” he said.
Notwithstanding the loss, welcome back home to the NCAA, Scottie.
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