Scottie Thompson out, Juan GDL in for Gilas in FIBA WCQ road trip

Juan Gomez De Liaño will replace Scottie Thompson in Gilas' July window lineup. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Scottie Thompson will sit out the third window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers as he is dealing with a hamstring injury that he had to endure during the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced on Friday that Juan Gomez De Liaño will take over Thompson's spot, reuniting the spitfire guard with Converge teammate Balti Baltazar.

The SBP initially listed Thompson in Gilas' "Final 12" on Thursday for its upcoming games in New Zealand and Australia from July 3-6.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday night after Ginebra won the conference championship, Thompson said that he has yet to determine the extent of the hamstring injury.

"I don't know yet, but sa hamstring ko. Di ko pa alam kung ipapa-MRI pa lang ako after ng finals," Thompson said.

"Basta nilaban ko na lang ito."

With Gilas needing more perimeter stability to make up for its size concerns when they take on the Tall Blacks and Boomers on the road due to Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown's absence, Gomez De Liaño would be of good help.

Currently 2-2 on the road to Qatar, Gilas needs to sweep the July window to get a huge advantage entering the second round of the qualifiers.