‘Home crowd’ huge factor in Gilas ‘WC’ success

WINNING a PBA championship and two trips to the Finals speak a lot about the strong bond and chemistry that Scottie Thompson has developed with veteran big man Japeth Aguilar and young wingman Jamie Malonzo, whom the team acquired in trade last year.

Having tasted basketball success in the pro level, the 29-year-old Thompson has high hopes that he, along with his two other Ginebra teammates could help develop the same chemistry with the rest of the members of the Gilas pool.

Naturalized player Justin Brownlee dunks against a Jordanian player during the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers held at the Philippine Arena in February. FIBA PHOTO 

Now training for the next few days at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, Thompson sees this as a “win” since all they will do in the practice facility is to train, study coach Chot Reyes’ system and develop chemistry with the rest of the members of the pool.

“In my experience as a player, the training is very important as we develop and build chemistry within the team. And we hope when we head to the training camp, we can forge that chemistry and confidence within the team,” Thompson said in Filipino during his interview in Playitright TV.

The reigning PBA Most Valuable Player also sees the presence of Ginebra coach Tim Cone in the Gilas coaching staff as another positive, seeing them as a perfect combination.”

“For me, coach Tim and coach Chot, they are a perfect combination. They have chemistry together,” added Thompson, who has won seven PBA championships under Cone at Ginebra.

And while it’s true, Gilas is expected to face stiff opposition in the FIBA World Cup, Thompson believes the home crowd will play a big role as they try to defend homecourt.

“They (FIBA World Cup opponents) are strong and star-studded since some of them have also played in the NBA, but more than that, our edge here is the home crowd,” he stressed.

“We need to defend our homecourt, make our kababayan proud, so whatever it takes, we will give our best.”

Thompson averaged 6.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.