The blessings keep pouring in for Scottie Thompson.
After helping Barangay Ginebra clinch the championship in the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup -- winning the Finals MVP in the process, Thompson received the invite to become part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the upcoming window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers this September.
Thompson, who was one of the 16 players who showed up at Gilas' first practice on Monday at the Meralco Gym, has donned the country's colors in the past as part of the Sinag Pilipinas team that competed in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and 2015 SEABA Championship. That's why he seemed thrilled he was given another crack at representing the country.
"When I heard the news I thought, 'Wow, whatever I did is finally paying off.' It's a dream come true for me, of course. I'm sure all the players in the PBA dream of playing for the national team. I'm so blessed," he told ESPN5.
"I want to thank God for giving me another opportunity to represent the country. I didn't think I was going to be a part of this, to go from Finals MVP to here, things happened so fast. It's not easy to be here, but I'm willing to put in the work whatever happens."
Though the Ginebra guard, who is currently averaging 9.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists in the Governors' Cup, is worried about adjusting to a new system and new teammates, he said he's willing to "give my best effort."
"From Coach Tim Cone's triangle offense, now this is a new system that I have to learn. Coach Yeng (Guiao) has a different system. I just have to trust the process," he explained. "I am excited to work with all of these guys, especially Alex (Cabagnot) and Asi Taulava. I want to learn new things from all of them."
"What I can bring to the team and to the country is my hustle play. I'll give my best and I'll try to exceed everything I do when I play for Ginebra, because this is a great experience for me to represent the country," he added.
One person who is stoked to run the floor with Thompson is San Miguel shooter Marcio Lassiter, who last suited up for Gilas seven years ago.
"Scottie Thompson would be kind of cool to play with. I've always played against him," said Lassiter. "(Playing with) Matthew Wright is also cool. There's a lot of guys who I haven't played with, so I'm looking forward to working with all of them and see how we can all jell together."
National team coach Yeng Guiao said they'll hold daily practices until they depart for Iran on September 10, three days before their first game of the fourth window. The final 12-man lineup for the Iran game, however, has yet to be determined.
ESPN5's Noel Zarate contributed to this report.