SCOTTIE Thompson is returning as an experienced backcourt for the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team.
Gilas coach Tim Cone said the presence of Ginebra player will provide Gilas a 1-2 defensive punch in the coming second window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers next week.
“Scottie’s got great size for a point guard. He can defend and New (Chris Newsome) can defend and Dwight (Ramos) can defend,” said Cone.
Cone is set to unravel a small-ball roster in the second window games that will both be played at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Last June, Thompson missed the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia due to an injury, after developing a bulging disc, an injury he got during the Philippine Cup semifinals when Ginebra lost to eventual champion Meralco in seven games.
“We’ve got a really good defensive backcourt. And CJ [Perez] is really our most athletic defender as well,” added Cone.
Cone said Thompson, being a two-way player, can make things happen on the court with his shooting and his defense.
Gilas will face New Zealand on November 21 and Hong Kong on November 24.
And Cone added that Thompson can “kind of equalizes everything” for the squad in their coming games.
