Scottie Thompson raring to play for Philippines anew

Scottie Thompson’s career trajectory just reached another level of altitude.

After being named the Finals MVP in Barangay Ginebra’s Commissioner’s Cup title run, he got a call-up to the national team after Yeng Guiao chose him to be part of the Philippines’ lineup for the upcoming window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Not to turn down a rare opportunity, Thompson said he’d do whatever it takes to represent the country three years after he last donned the tricolor.

READ: Scottie in Guiao’s mind as Fiba windows approach

“Of course, I’m willing to be part of the team. I will do what I have to do for the country,” said Thompson in Filipino after the Gin Kings’ 95-84 win over Columbian in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I will always give my best for the Philippines.”

Thompson last suited up for the national team in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and 2015 SEABA Championship, both held in Singapore, where the Filipinos were able to strike gold.

READ: Guiao looking at Cabagnot, Slaughter, Lassiter for Fiba qualifiers 

Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said Thompson and Greg Slaughter, who was also in Guiao’s wish list, would greatly benefit in their stint with the national team.

“I’m happy for Scottie, I’m really happy for Scottie and I hope that they could figure out a way to put Greg in there,” said Cone. “I think that guys get better when they play internationally so I think that it would be a great confidence-booster and great experience for those guys so I’m all for it.”

READ: Ginebra kicks off PBA Governors’ Cup with win over Columbian

Thompson said he’s looking forward to working under Guiao and play with PBA players in the national team, which is different from his last international stint where he had to play with top amateur players.

“This will be the first time that I will play under a different coach in my PBA career and I think I’ll just have to trust the process,” said Thompon who had a near triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.

“Everything that a coach teaches will fall on the players and it’s their responsibility to execute it and trust the process.”