Sports News

Scottie too early for PBA Greatest Players inclusion? Let’s Hear him out

CHARISMATIC point guard and one-time PBA Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings has done many things in his young career.

So, is it too early to put him among the list of greatest players to ever join the first Asian play-for-pay league?

Being one of the two active players to be included in the list, the other one being 8-time MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beermen, many had questioned his inclusion.

In an interview at the PBA 50 Greatest Players induction and golden anniversary, Thompson said that like both the critics and supporters, he too was surprised to be included.

“Unang-una, totally shocked kasi hindi naman talaga lahat nabibigyan ng opportunity but truly honored and blessed sa ganitong opportunity. Early sa career ko, napasama ako rito,” he said.

“Nadagdagan ‘yung motivation ko na mas pag-igihan pa and mas paghirapan pa lahat kasi marami pang posibleng mangyari sa career ko,” he added, hoping to prove naysayers wrong.

But Thompson, who came to the league in 2015, has won seven PBA titles with Barangay Ginebra. He also pocketed two Best Player of the Conference awards (2021 Governors’ and 2022-23 Commissioner’s), and was the Most Valuable Player in 2021.

But there were online chatter saying it was too early for him to get such a feat.

“Well, actually hindi ako masyadong nagbabasa ng negative thoughts sa social media o kung anuman,” Thompson said.

“Pero I truly respect everyone’s comment kasi free world naman tayo so lahat may puwedeng sabihin, pangit man ‘yun o maganda, I totally respect lahat ng kung anumang sinasabi nila,” he added.

Do you think Thompson’s names deserved to be placed among the PBA greats? Tell us in the comments.

Banner Photo Courtesy of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Website