IT’S certainly a welcome sight for Barangay Ginebra to have one of its top players back on the court and playing again.
Former MVP Scottie Thompson played for the first time in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup and came up with his usual well-rounded game in a 105-86 rout of Blackwater Friday night at the Philsports Arena.
Thompson back in starting unit
Although still not 100 percent healthy from the lingering slipped disc problem that grounded him for the early part of the Kings’ campaign, Thompson was good enough to be back in the team’s starting unit and finished with four points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in almost 27 minutes of play.
Thompson’s presence was more than enough to inspire the rest of the Kings, who halted a two-game slide by claiming their fourth win in seven outings.
Coach Tim Cone wasn’t surprised with the way his starting guard played despite not practicing with the team for a week prior to his comeback game.
“Scottie is a former MVP so he’s going to make an impact on the team. He had through the years,” said the Ginebra coach.
Cone added the team will take a look at how Thompson’s back responded once the Kings practice on Saturday in preparation for their game against the Northport Batang Pier.
Thompson's back issue could act up again
Thompson later said he felt good, although he’s not discounting the fact his back issue could act up again.
“To be honest since nung college ako andito na siya kasi hindi naman ako inopera. Yung slipped disc ko, yung sciatic nerve yung kuryente bumababa yun, kaya lagi lang strengthening. Kailangan malakas lang siya lagi,” he said.
“Alam ninyo naman pag slipped disc hindi mo alam kung kalian siya mati-trigger.”
That’s the reason why Cone said he had to do a balancing act on whether to keep Thompson in the game for an extended period of time.
“I was caught about keeping him on the floor to get him into rhythm or get him back on the flow of the game,” stressed Cone. “But also I didn’t want him to overextend and play because we have a game on Sunday and not be ready to play on Sunday.
“Hopefully he’ll be fine tomorrow (Saturday) and he’ll be ready to go 100 percent against Northport.”
The Kings take on the Batang Pier Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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