Scottie Thompson goes from fan in Davao to PBA All-Star

MANILA, Philippines – Scottie Thompson was once just a wide-eyed fan from Davao watching the PBA All-Stars converge in different cities and provinces across the country.

Now, he’s an All-Star playing alongside his idols. 

The 23-year-old Barangay Ginebra guard was voted into the starting lineup of the South All-Star team much to his surprise. He is the lone rookie in the All-Star Game this year. 

“Sobrang laking gulat ko kasi mindset ko talaga ng All-Star Week I have a chance magpalakas for myself. Nagulat ako nung pag-announce kasama pala ako so wala na akong time para magpalakas pa,” the former Perpetual Help standout said as this year’s All-Star Weekend kicked off. 

(I was very surprised because my mindset for the All-Star Week was to strengthen myself. I was shocked when they announced it and I was included so I don’t have time anymore to train.) 

“Talagang closed minded ako sa All-Star ngayon kasi hindi ko in-expect na as a rookie, naging first 5 pa ako. Thankful ako sa mga bumoto sa akin and sa mga nagtitiwala.” 

(I was closed minded for this All-Star because as a rookie I did not expect anything and now I’m part of the first 5. I’m thankful to everyone who voted and believed in me.) 

Thompson bared his excitement to play in the mid-season event alongside the basketball idols of his youth. He sat beside them during the All-Star press conference Thursday, August 4. 

“Sobrang honored ako to be part of the All-Star Game, excited ako to play with my idols kasi dati pa lang sa Davao pa ako, pinapanood ko lang sila. It’s big experience sa akin para makalaro sa All-Star Game,” said Thompson, a Padada, Davao del Sur native. 

The PBA All-Star Weekend was held in Digos City, Davao del Sur in 2013. 

“Usually talaga pag nasa province ka talaga ang inaabangan doon, sila Mark Caguioa, James Yap. Sila yung tinitingala ng taga-province like me.” 

(I’m honored to be part of the All-Star Game, I’m excited to play with my idols because since I was still in Davao before I’ve already been watching them. It’s a big experience for me to play in the All-Star Game. Usually in the provinces they really look out for guys like Mark Caguioa and James Yap. They are the players people from the provinces like me look up to.) 

Thompson’s South teammates include James Yap, Asi Taulava, June Mar Fajardo and Joe Devance. 

(RELATED: Narvasa ‘disappointed’ with low PBA All-Star fan turnout)

The rising playmaker is looking forward to feeding the ball down to the much bigger South frontline of Fajardo and Taulava, under the guidance of coach Leo Austria.

Not just the All-Star Game, Thompson, in his rookie year, will get initiated on the usually entertaining annual dance-off. Thompson admitted Devance, the master choreographer of the South in a dance-off victory last year, has big plans to defend the title. 

“Siguro mapapasayaw nga niya (Devance) ko kasi sa practice pa lang namin talagang kinakausap na niya ako kung paano yung sayaw,” Thompson said. “Maraming plano si Joe para sa South team. Siguro abangan na lang nila yung mga pasabog ni JDV.” 

(He will make me dance because at practice he’s already talking to me about our dance. Joe has plenty of plans for the South team. Watch out for JDV’s surprises.)

The All-Star Game between North and South takes place on Sunday, August 7, 5 pm at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. (SEE: 2016 PBA All-Star Weekend schedule and lineups) – Rappler.com