It’s no secret that Scottie Thompson went through some turbulent times.
And that is why one cannot put him at fault for feeling extremely blessed upon being named as the PBA Season 46 Most Valuable Player on Sunday, since he never lost faith that the rough road would eventually lead to the stars.
Photo by PBA Images
“It means a lot,” he said after the Leo Awards.
“‘Yung mga nangyari sa buhay ko, ang dami, ‘di ba … on and off the court. Pero na-manage ko ‘yung career ko. Through hard work, through discipline, and faith kay God, andito ako ngayon.
“Nakuha ko ‘to,” the 28-year-old added. “So sobrang blessed.”
Thompson is now the first Ginebra player since Mark Caguioa in 2012 to cop the league’s highest individual award. And such an achievement has definitely cemented him as the Barangay’s face of the franchise moving forward.
Caguioa may not be back sooner while another vet in Joe Devance announced his retirement just days ago, meaning that the Perpetual product would have to embrace a responsibility far bigger than what he has in past seasons.
Thompson, though, insists that he’s still far from the leader he’s seen to be.
“Wala pa, sobra. Malayo pa,” he said. “Kasi andiyan pa sila, and andito lang din ako para tulungan din ‘yung mga veterans namin. Tulungan sila Kuya LA [sa] mga bagong players namin. Kasi mostly sa amin, mga bago pa.”
But then, he’s aware that he has to grow into one, now that he’s the MVP.
Photo by PBA Images
“Kailangan ko rin mas mag-mature para sa team. Kasi kailangan ko rin ma-lead ‘yung team. Malaking panghahawakan ‘tong nakuha ko ngayon, especially ‘yun nga — ‘yung expectation ng team, ng mga fans and of course management.
“Mahirap, pero I’m up sa challenge,” he said. “And I’m just so blessed na andiyan si Coach Tim, the coaching staff, buong Ginebra fans and especially ‘yung mga beterano namin na andiyan pa rin, na nagga-guide sa akin.”
After all, the work doesn’t stop for Thompson even if he’s crowned king.
“Mentality ko kasi, student of the game palagi,” he said.
“So, hindi naman humihinto ‘yung career ko dito. Kailangan pa-elevate nang pa-elevate. So, sa akin ngayon, hindi dapat makuntento, and trabaho pa rin.”
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