Scottie Thompson of Ginebra declined 2019 GILAS and I think, the REAL reason is...

(c) PBA Media Bureau

I am pretty sure you already heard or read about the news of coach Yeng Guiao explaining to the media the reasons why Thompson will not play in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

I think, this statement by coach Yeng, taken from the Spin.ph article is enough to understand the reason of Scottie. " He feels he's not ready to compete internationally. It's his belief, mayroon siyang paniwala na mayroon pang ibang pwedeng makakuha ng slot niya na who can perform that role."

I do not think that is the real reason though because last year when he was included to the pool to compete for the 2019 FIBA Asia qualifier, he said this, " para sa akin, marami pang time. Pero dumating na itong opportunity na ito, 'di ko na sasayangin. Iga-grab ko na ito. Gagawin ko 'yung best ko."

The guy appreciated the opportunity the first time and said that he will not waste it and now that he was called again for the second time, in the much bigger stage, he is declining it? 

Coach Yeng said that Scottie Thompson will try to train more so that he can improve and get back to the national team.

Now, last year again, he said this, "ang laking experience sa akin 'to para sa long-term na career ko. Andito lahat ng mga veterans. Handa akong makinig at handa akong matuto."

And that I think is very accurate! If you want to improve your game, playing in the national team is one of the best ways because you will practice with the fellow elite players that you can learn from. You will also compete in a much higher competition and the better the competition, the better the quality of the learnings that you will get. 

So, my point is, I think there is a different reason why he will not play for the national team. I will not try to contemplate but let us observed how many SMC players will end up in the final 12 for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.