No. 5 pick Scottie Thompson excited to play for Tim Cone in Ginebra

Ginebra no. 5 pick Scottie Thompson. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

The familiar chants of “Gi-neb-ra” filled the air as the crowd darlings were on the board for the fifth overall pick.

The crowd roared after Ginebra landed reigning NCAA MVP Scottie Thompson, who was expected to go as high as third in terms of talent in a relatively deep class.

READ: Tautuaa, Rosario go 1-2 in 2015 PBA Draft; Ginebra lands Thomspon

Thompson had said he would love to play with the Star Hotshots, who was his favorite team growing up.

The do-it-all guard of University of Perpetual Help, though, also has a reason to feel excited about playing with the Kings.

“I may not be playing with my favorite team but I will be playing for my favorite coach,” Thompson said in Filipino.

READ: Banged-up Thompson ready to sacrifice for Perpetual

The Kings underwent a major change with the hiring of Tim Cone, the winningest head coach in the league, as their new mentor after he was transferred from the Hotshots.

Thompson gives Ginebra some youth, versatility and athleticism at the guard spot. He has already recorded three triple-doubles through just nine games in the NCAA. CFC