PBA: High expectations for Scottie Thompson ahead of new season

Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Coming off a very busy offseason, Scottie Thompson is expected to pick up where he left off when Barangay Ginebra begins its campaign in the new PBA season beginning next month.

The expectations are high for the PBA MVP, who is coming off stints with Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup and the Asian Games where the Philippines won its first basketball gold since 1962.

“I always have very high expectations of Scottie and Scottie will always bring it. He’s a complete winner and he showed that in his career. Scottie is that kind of player that affects winning and those players are the most fun to play with,” said Ginebra big man Christian Standhardinger.

“It’s important that we keep the standard high for Scottie but it’s a given that Scottie will bring it next conference without me trying to put too much pressure.”

Heading into the 48th PBA Season, Thompson is again one of the frontrunners in the MVP race alongside Standhardingher and San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo.

While Thompson posted lowly numbers of just 1.8 points, 2.2 assists and two rebounds per game in the World Cup, he redeemed himself in the Asian Games earlier this month.

Ginebra, which will parade Tony Bishop as its import, opens its title defense in the Commissioner’s Cup on November 17 against Converge at Araneta Coliseum.