SCOTTIE Thompson’s return will come sooner rather than later as Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone revealed the former PBA MVP is on his way to recovery from his back issues, among others.
Cone said Thompson is set to finally get court time in practice on Wednesday with his back healthy enough to join Barangay Ginebra’s preparation for the 49th Season of the PBA.
“He has not joined practice yet. We got the word that we may try some things out tomorrow for the first time since the end of last conference. But I don’t think he will be a full participating right now for a while,” said Cone during Tuesday’s PBA Media Day.
Cone said he doesn’t see Thompson playing early in the conference, but his situation has improved.
“At this point, if I would look at it objectively, I would say that at this point, he is doubtful to start the conference for us. But that’s not 100 percent sure. He has improved. His back has improved,” said Cone.
Cone said Thompson had an array of injuries in relation to the back injury.
Thompson’s current status is certainly excellent news to Barangay Ginebra, which suffered an exit in Game Seven of the semifinals against eventual champion Meralco in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Because of the back problems, Cone admitted Thompson also had to deal with other injuries as well as a result.
After Barangay Ginebra suffered a Game Seven exit in the semifinals against Meralco, Thompson has been focusing on his recovery, even missing the Gilas Pilipinas’ stint in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
“Because he was working though his back issues, other things started to bother him. He started getting plantar fasciitis. He had toe issues. And it was all related to the back. He’s got multiple things that he is dealing with to try to get back 100 percent,” Cone shared.
“But he is going to try for the first time to do some stuff with the team tomorrow. That’s the first time we will see him on the court since Game Seven of the semifinals. He hasn’t been on the basketball court since then,” said Cone.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
