Scottie Thompson cherishes 'homecourt edge' in return to FilOil EcoOil Centre

After seven years, Scottie Thompson is back at his old stomping grounds. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

SAN JUAN, MM--Being in the FilOil EcoOil Centre is no anymore new to Scottie Thompson.

After all, this was once his longtime playground being the FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup and NCAA's home.

So in his first game back at the said arena after a while, the former NCAA Most Valuable Player and reigning PBA MVP felt like he had homecourt advantage.

"Sabi ko nga, homecourt eh. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na nakabalik uli dito kung saan ako nag-start from NCAA," Thompson, the former Perpetual Help King Alta now one of Barangay Ginebra's main men, said on Friday after what would be his first game back here after seven years, Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals between his Gin Kings and the Meralco Bolts.

His last game here in the amateur ranks was not that impressive as Perpetual Help was blown out of NCAA Final Four contention by Letran in a game that even saw him covering his head in a towel apparently in tears after failing to lead his team to the playoffs, although he was comforted by his fellow Perpetualites with chants of "Ginebra!" as their crucial game happened a few days after he was drafted into the pros.

However, he left the venue this time as a winner as Ginebra defeated Meralco to send their best-of-three series to a knockout game on Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

[Related Story: Ginebra banks on Q4 storm to tie QF series vs. Meralco]

"Good thing nakuha namin yung panalo ngayon," said Thompson, who finished with 11 points, six rebounds, nine assists, and two steals.

It might take a while before the PBA returns here, but Thompson is keeping his hopes that one game that would be featured pits his team.

"Sana may chance uling makapaglaro dito," Thompson said.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno