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FILE – Gilas Pilipinas guard Scottie Thompson during the match against Jordan in the fifth window of the Fiba Asia World Cup qualifiers. Photo by Fiba
MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas representative Tim Cone offered another way to look at Scottie Thompson’s performance in the Philippines’ narrow 91-90 loss to visiting Jordan in the Fiba World Cup Qualifiers on Monday night.
The experienced tactician, who also handled Ginebra’s Most Valuable Player, suggested that people will focus on Gilas’ valuable freebie Thompson.
“Scottie missed two free throws? I didn’t see it,” he said in a tweet Tuesday.
“I saw the D he was playing [Freddie] Ibrahim in the second half, a lot of help for (Justin Brownlee), energy, rebounds. What a blessing to have him in Gilas,” he said.
Scottie missed two free throws? I didn’t pay attention. I saw his D playing on Ibrahim in the 2nd round, a lot of assists for JB, hustle, energy, rebounds. What a blessing to have him in Gilas! #NSD
— Tim Cone (@manilacone) February 28, 2023
Thompson actually finished with nine points in the game. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out seven assists to go along with a steal.
The PBA Most Valuable Player who has been +12 in losses and even the most efficient cog in the Gilas comeback machine that sputtered in the end.
Thompson was teary-eyed when he spoke to reporters shortly after the match, saying that the missed charity was the biggest blunder of his career.
The national coach was also quick to defend Thompson—who despite playing all-around was still chastised on social media after the loss.
“I told Scottie not to beat himself up. He’s not going to get a free throw if he doesn’t rebound [the ball] anyway,” he said in the post-game presser.
“You know, it happens, and Scottie is going to be a better player,” he said. “It was his attempt to get an offensive rebound, and unfortunately he missed it. If it matters, I don’t think Scottie will lose it again.
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