MindanaoToday.com | Scottie Thompson’s bro beef up Perpetual Altas
By: Jack Biantan
BAYUGAN City, Agusan de Sur — Ginebra San Miguel superstar Scottie Thompson has a younger brother who looks like him or better looking than him.
But does he play better than Scottie or the same as him? That question will be answered today when the University of Perpetual Help Altas-Vincare Pharma play against University of the Visayas Green Lancers-Bustamante Construction in the opening match of the Bayugan Mayor Asis Open Invitational Basketball Tournament at the Lope Asis gym here in Baygan City, Agusan del Sur.
The Perpetual vs UV clash is set at 8 a.m. The Altas will then have a test of fire when they play against the powerhouse Adamson University-ARQ Construction at 6 p.m.
“My ‘Kuya’ Scottie advise me not to be pressured because I am his younger brother. He said that I will just play my game which is the point guard. He said that I will make sure that I will distribute the ball well and not to worry because the ball will always come back to me,” Justine said.
So there is the difference now. Scottie plays off guard bit, sometimes the point or even forward with Ginebra, while Justine is a pure point guard.
When asked about Justine, assistant coach Gerald Dizon said that Justine will not start yet as he is still a rookie. However, he is hard working and he will improve. “He is only 20 year old, he has to gain experience and this tournament is good for him,” said Dizon.
Just like his brother Justine was born in Padada, Davao del Sur. Just like Scottie who studied in UPHS before he turned pro, he also studies at Perpetual.
Justine could have been a great high school cage star but the pandemic interrupted his high school basketball career.
The Altas are quite the underdogs in this tournament which is also their preparation for the coming NCAA cage wars.
They will rely on their sweet shooting captain ball Christian Pagaran who was born and raised in Bukidnon. The graduating BS Management student used to play for Southern Philippine College (SPC) in Cagayan de Oro City.
However, according to coach Dizon, the player to watch for the Altas is the high leaping bigman Emmanuel Pizzaro. They also have a decent point guard Regie Ayon.
Completing their line-up are Nathaniel John Sevilla, John Paul Boral, Ali John Manuel, John Cedrick E. Abis, Shawn Orgo, Henry Montemayor, Jearico Nunez, Ralph Cauguiran, Mark Cruz, Richard Moved, Angelo Gelsano, and Markkian Danag. Head is former San Miguel Beer point guard Roderick Cesar ‘Olsen’ Racela.
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