He didn't play against Estonia on Tuesday.
When Gilas Pilipinas put up a gallant fight against Estonia on Tuesday, it did so without one of its best guards in Scottie Thompson, who was a DNP-CD (Did not play–Coach’s decision) due to back spasms.
It was an unfortunate development for Gilas, which is only now starting to get healthy, with Japeth Aguilar and June Mar Fajardo finally getting in a groove and Justin Brownlee back from his non-basketball-related medical procedure.
But, according to One Sports’ Carlo Pamintuan, the reigning MVP is now feeling better—or at least well enough to rejoin Gilas in practice.
That should good news for Gilas, which is set to play its second tune-up game at 11 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, against Finland. The Philippine national team, incidentally, could sure use another ballhandler and playmaker after coughing the ball up 23 times versus Estonia. The national team went on to lose, 81-71, after falling behind by double digits early and falling short in its fourth quarter fight back.
While Thompson has rejoined practice, it is unclear, however, if the do-it-all guard's back spasms have been bothering him for a prolonged period or if they just struck at a most inopportune time.
But with Jordan Heading, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Jordan Clarkson, and Kai Sotto still not part of Gilas’ training, the hope here is that Thompson’s back spasms are just a one-off and not something to be concerned about moving forward.
(GM)