By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Former PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Scottie Thompson won’t be seeing action for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel after suffering a swollen left knee injury.
According to Ginebra’s chief tactician coach Tim Cone, Thompson will be sidelined for at least 2-3 weeks and might suit up again when the PBA stages its special Christmas Day game day schedule.
Thompson absorbed the minor injury last November 26, 2023, when the Gin Kings squared off against the Blackwater Bossing squad.
Midway through the second quarter, Blackwater’s big man Bradwyn Guinto landed on Thompson’s left leg during a scramble for a rebound possession.
Thompson then grimaced in pain after the accidental fall from Guinto and was assessed by the Ginebra medical staff after the game.
Fortunately, the MRI result showed no signs of any ligament and tendon structural damage and will just need rest to help the inflammation subside.
This is the first time that Thompson will be missing a game for Ginebra this year and will most likely be absent in their next three games.
During the first four games of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Thompson already averaged 11.0 points, 7.3 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game.
With Thompson’s absence for at least three weeks, the backcourt rotation of LA Tenorio, Maverick Ahanmisi, and Stanley Pringle should step up to fill the void.
The Gin Kings are currently ranked as the no. 3 team in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup with an impressive 4-1 win-loss record.
