Aug 02, 2023

Missing out on Gilas' China trip paves way for Scottie to attend graduation rites

SCOTTIE Thompson missed out on Gilas Pilipinas campaign in a mini-pocket tournament in China.

In doing so though, he got to attend his graduation rites at the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Wednesday at the Plenary Hall of the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex.

The Barangay Ginebra guard earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, major in Marketing Management.

Thompson, the reigning PBA MVP was one of 671 students of graduated from the university for school year 2022-2023.

"Gift ko itong pagtatapos ko ng college sa aming baby ni Jinky na si Aster Scottie Thompson," said Thompson afterwards as he was accompanied by wife Jinky during the affair.

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The 30-year-old Thompson is still recuperating from a metacarpal fracture in his right hand which he suffered while in Gilas' training camp in Europe last month.

The injury kept him from joining the national team in playing in a mini-pocket tournament in China against national teams of Iran and Senegal.

During the commencement exercise, Thompson was the recipient of the Dr/BGen Antonio Laperal Tamayo Leadership Plaque for Sports and Athletics.

The award was handed out by UPHSD President Dr. Anthony Tamayo, Vice Chair Dr. Daisy Moran Tamayo, Executive Vice President Marjorie Gutierrez-Tangog and Dr. Arnaldo De Guzman, UPH-Las Pinas City campus, school director during the commencement rites.

Last February, the Altas retired Thompson's no. 6 jersey for his achievements in the field of basketball after being named the PBA MVP and winning seven championships with the Kings.

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The native of Davao Del Sur played college basketball at the UPHSD in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) from 2011 to 2015.
In his rookie season, he was already the Altas' sixth man, averaging 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 18.3 minutes per game.

In 2014, he was named NCAA Season 90 Most Valuable Player (MVP). (RG)