SCOTTIE Thompson came out in the open and expressed his gratitude for everything former college coach Aric Del Rosario has done to his playing career.
The Barangay Ginebra guard referred to his late mentor at University of Perpetual Help as 'TATAY,' 'PAPA,' 'DADDY,' 'LOLO,' 'COACH,' AT 'MENTOR ARIC,' in a long tribute he posted on social media following the death of the veteran mentor Wednesday night.
Thompson was the last in a long list of great college players Del Rosario previously handled who went on and become a superstar in the PBA.
And that was not lost on the 26-year-old native of Davao Del Sur, saying he owed his success in basketball to his 80-year-old mentor.
"Ikaw ang isa sa dahilan kung saan ako ngayon at kung anong meron ako ngayon. Hindi lang pala isa sa naging dahilan kundi ikaw ang naging dahilan," said Thompson in an emotional post.
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"Hanggang sa PBA dala-dala ko pa din ang lagi mong sinasabi mo sa amin na mag-sipag ka lang, maglaro ng maayos, magpaka-bait at lagging madasalin, may pupuntahan ka bata," he added.
"At higit sa lahat, tanggapin anong meron ka ngayon. Kung gusto mo ng higit, pagtrabahuhan mo. Dahil sa mga linyang yan, andito ako ngayon."
While Thompson didn't get to win a championship with Del Rosario and the Altas - though they made the Final Four three times and the guard was named NCAA Most Valuable Player - he made great strides with Ginebra in the pros, winning four championships, a Finals MVP, four-time All-Star, a second Mythical Team selection, and a Most Improved Player award in just five seasons.
Thompson even once suited up and was part of the Gilas Pilipinas program.
"Coach A, simula nung nakilala kita, naging coach kita, lahat ng pananaw ko sa buhay, nag-iba. Lahat ng mga duda ko sa sarili ko, kung kakayanin ko ba o hindi, nag-iba. Lahat ng pagsubok na dumaan sa buhay ko hanggang ngayon, hindi na ako nagduda sa sarili ko, kasi tinuruan mo akong maging palaban at kayanin ang lahat," said the Ginebra star.
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What he lamented though is not being able to pay his last respect to Del Rosario given the current enhanced community quarantine situation implemented in the entire Luzon due to the threat of the coronavirus.
"Ang mas nakakalungkot pa lalo is yung paano ka po kaya namin madalaw dahil sa mga nangyayari ngayon. Paano pa kaya namin madamayan ang pamilya mo coach," said Thompson. "I-pray sana na makagawa kami ng paraan para makasama ka namin coach at ang family mo."
In parting, Thompson professed his great love to the late coach and how he will miss him. (RG)
