Scottie Thompson hurt his ankle late in Gilas Pilipinas' home win in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Ginebra's next game in the PBA Philippine Cup is December 10.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is keeping his fingers crossed that Scottie Thompson’s ankle injury will not cause him to miss games.
Cone had this to say moments after Gilas scored a repeat win over Guam, 95-71, in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers on Monday.
“We have until the 10th of December to get him ready to play. Hopefully he’ll be ready because that’s one guy we cant lose at Ginebra obviously,” Cone said, who also coaches Scottie with Ginebra in the PBA.
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The do-it-all Ginebra star hurt his left ankle at the 7:08 mark of the fourth period and needed to be assisted out of the court and into the bench.
He never returned to the game after that.
“But that’s just the sacrifice you make playing for the national team. Cjay (Perez) went down with a bad ankle sprain, Calvin (Oftana) got injured in the Asia Cup. It’s just part of it,” said Cone.
“You hope it doesn’t happen but that’s the sacrifice you make playing for the national team cause you’re gonna be playing against physical guys and big bodies and there’s a good chance you might get hurt at one point.”
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Cone can only hope his prized ward will be ready in time for the Gin Kings’ game against Blackwater in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup next Wednesday, Dec. 10.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.