Thompson awes the ‘Destroyer’

By Jesse C. Ong

His heads-up plays and awesome rebounding might were such a revelation in Ginebra’s triumphant campaign in the recent PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) Governors’ Cup that not a few see great promise in rookie sensation Scottie Thompson early in his cage career. 

Among them is Gin Kings legend Rudy Distrito, who was known as “The Destroyer” during his heyday with the fabled ballclub.

Settling in his hometown of Bacolod City after spending time in a prison in the US, Distrito caught a glimpse of the potential of the 23-year-old Thompson while following on television Ginebra’s epic titular battle against the Meralco Bolts.

“Napabilib agad ako nung rookie [Thompson], kasi hindi naman kalakihan, pero ang lakas humatak ng rebound at napakahusay pumasa. May tira rin. Para sa akin, ‘yun ang isa sa mga bumuhay sa mga fans ng Ginebra at nagbigay ng dagdag na energy sa team,” Distrito said in a phone interview.

Seeing Thompson battling for the loose ball against taller players and providing extra possession for his team in several instances during the entire championship series, Distrito believes that the hard working rookie will be a vital cog in Ginebra’scampaign in the years to come.

“Malaki ang maitutulong ni Thompson sa Ginebra. Mapapakinabangan nang husto ng team ‘yung sipag at husay nung bata. Bagay na bagay kasi ang laro niya dun at may sampalataya sa potensyal niya si [coach] Tim Cone,” he observed.

The 58-year-old former cager went on to add that the Gin Kings found a gem of a newbie in Thompson, whose skills and high basketball IQ are rarely seen in young players mixing it up with the veterans in Asia’s play-for-pay loop.

“Isa ang batang ‘yun sa magiging haligi ng Ginebra pagdating ng araw kaya’t hindi nila dapat pakawalan. Bihira kang makatiyempo ng mga ganung players sa panahon ngayon, kaya ngayon pa lang masasabi ko nang napakalaki ng potensyal ni Thompson na maging superstar sa PBA.”

Since leaving the basketball scene in 1999, when he last played for the San Juan Knights in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), Distrito shied away from the sport that catapulted him to fame as he opted to live a quiet life and engage in the business of raising fighting cocks upon his return from the US in 2010.

“I’m now just enjoying a simple life here, having coffee with some friends at jogging sa umaga. Madalas akong nasa family farm to tend to our fighting cocks. That’s what keeps me busy these days,” he related.

“The Destroyer,” however, vows to continue supporting his former team, which he hopes would be able to relive its glory days after nailing its first PBA crown since 2008.

“Syempre, hindi mawawala kahit kailan ang suporta ko sa Ginebra. Diyan tayo sumikat at nagkapangalan kaya malaki ang utang na loob ko sa team. Masayang-masaya ako na nag-champion sila uli,” Distrito said.