SCOTTIE Thompson won’t be joining Gilas Pilipinas as it competes in the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in Guandong, China starting on Wednesday.
“Scottie is also staying,” longtime national men’s team manager Butch Antonio said on the eve of Gilas’ departure.
Thompson, the reigning PBA MVP from Barangay Ginebra, continues to rehab the metacarpal fracture on his right hand which he suffered during the team’s training camp in Europe last month.
READ: Kai not joining China trip as gap with SBP widens
Despite the injury, the 30-year-old guard diligently attends Gilas practice watching the team scrimmages from the sidelines.
He has also began shooting basketballs using his left hand as shown in the latest reels he posted on his Facebook account.
Thompson joins big man Kai Sotto and naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame among those not leaving with the team for China on Tuesday morning.
Gilas Pilipinas held its pre-departure practice on Monday morning at the Moro Lorenzo gym.
Leaving with the 14-man team are June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, AJ Edu, Rhenz Abando, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., CJ Perez, Roger Pogoy, Dwight Ramos, Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, and Poy Erram.
Naturalized player Jordan Clarkson, as per Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), will fly directly to China to be with the team on August 6, although coach Chot Reyes isn’t certain if August 6 is the date of his arrival or the date when he leaves the US.
The Philippines won’t play its first game in the pocket meet that also features Iran and Senegal until August 3 against the Iranians at the Heyuan Sports gymnasium.
Initially, Lebanon was part of the tournament, but decided to back out, according to Reyes.
Senegal and Iran open hostilities when they face each other on August 2.
Gilas then takes on Senegal on August 4 at the Jiangman En Ping Sports gymnasium.
Senegal will be bringing along the players who will be suiting up for the FIBA Men’s Pre-Qualifying Olympic Tournament to be played prior to the World Cup, including Brancou Badio, a part of the Phoenix Suns roster that saw action in the last NBA Summer League where he averages 13.1 points in nine games.
The Filipinos tangle with Senegal anew on August 6 at the Heyuan Sport gymnasium and Iran the following day at the Xiaoqing Sport Center.
Iran which beat the Philippines in the 2019 FIBA World Cup to seal the Asian ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is currently on a rebuilding phase and coach Mo Abedini said the individual performances of the players in the pocket tournament will help determine his Final 12 to the World Cup.
Gilas has been drawn in Group A in the quadrennial showcase along with Dominican Republic, Angola, and Italy, Iran is in Group G and will play in Indonesia together with Spain, Brazil, and Cote D’Ivoire.
The 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament is organized by Wolf United Series (WUS), headed by Joaquim Lobo and former ASEAN Basketball League Chief Operating Officer Jericho Ilagan, in partnership with the City Governments of Heyuan, Jiangmen En Ping, Xiaoqing, and the Provincial Government of Guangdong in the People's Republic of China.
Former UAAP Commissioner Jensen Ilagan will serve as their Director of Competition.
All games will be broadcasted live on ONE Sports, One Sports+, Pilipinas Live, and Smart Livestream.
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