Good news: Scottie Thompson back in Gilas practice

Gilas Pilipinas got the much-needed shot in the arm as reigning PBA Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson has rejoined the team's closed-door practice on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Dexter Aseron, the national squad's therapist and strengths and conditioning coach said, the 30-year-old Thompson “has been cleared to join the 5-on-5 already.”

“So far so good (for Thompson). He started practicing last (Monday) night,” Aseron told the Manila Times on Monday, August 14.

Scottie Thompson FIBA PHOTO

It could be recalled that Thompson suffered a metacarpal fracture on his shooting hand during the tailend of Gilas' Europe training camp in Kaunas, Lithuania over a month ago.

So no doubt, the athletic and do-it-all Ginebra guard's return will give a timely boost for Gilas, which in its recent pocket tournament in Guangdong, China, played with just one legitimate playmaker in Kiefer Ravena.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes, also tinkered on the roster by experimenting on CJ Perez and Chris Newsome at the point guard spot in the national team's brief 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball campaign.

Gilas managed to sport a 3-1 record, splitting its 2-game match against Senegal, while sweeping Iran in its two-game stint.

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