MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone admitted the Gin Kings are opening the PBA’s Season 49 with a severely banged-up roster.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has been competing without one of its main stars in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup so far.
Currently posting a 2-1 record in the team standings, the Gin Kings have tallied wins against the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters and the Phoenix Fuel Masters, but were sent crashing back to earth by the Meralco Bolts last Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.
And in all of these bouts, they have been sans star guard Scottie Thompson.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone previously revealed that Thompson has been dealing with a back injury even before the All-Filipino conference started, with the guard even playing through the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers with the said issue.
The former Perpetual Altas star gave an update on his current situation and explained that fortunately, his recovery is going well.
“So far, nagpapahinga lang naman [ako]. I’m trying my best,” the Digos City native said on Wednesday following his alma mater’s NCAA Season 99 junior’s basketball Finals Game 2 victory against the Letran Squires.
“Best effort para makabalik agad, but sana nga makabalik agad para sa team,” he added.
The 6-foot-1 all-around guard explained that his present back issues are related to his slipped disc injury back when he was still in the NCAA, and it was a result of the wear and tear due to the non-stop basketball that he’s gone through in the recent months.
“Last conference pa talaga ‘to,” revealed Thompson, who has been juggling basketball responsibilities with Gilas Pilipinas and with Ginebra since late 2022
The one-time NCAA and PBA MVP has played almost non-stop basketball as he competed in the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, 2022-23 Governors’ Cup Finals, 2023 FIBA World Cup, 19th Asian Games, 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals, and the Asia Cup Qualifiers.
He admitted that these eventually took a toll on his body.
“Pinilit ko lang. Akala ko normal na back pain lang, but may history kasi ako dati ng slip disc nung college days ko sa Perpetual, so nag trigger yung pain,” said Thompson, who will be turning 31 in July.
He will also miss the 2024 PBA All-Star this weekend, and he bared that as of present, there is still no timetable for his return.
“So far, wala pa. Dine-day by day ko eh so titignan pa kung kailan yung balik” shared Thompson, who will be replaced by first-time All-Star Aris Dionisio in Team Japeth for the Sunday bout.
Asked if there are any setbacks that he has experienced in his recovery, here is what he has to say: “Looking good naman, all good naman.”
