With tips from Cone, Tenorio about national stint, Thompson ready to soak in experience

MANILA, Philippines — Scottie Thompson is new to all this: the FIBA World Cup hostilities, the adaptation to a different system, the donning of the official Philippine tricolors.

Thankfully, he has a lot people wired and willing to give him advice for his new endeavor.

Thompson's head coach at the Philippine Basketball Association is not only the league's most decorated tactician, but also the architect behind the Philippine centennial team that saw action in Korea.

Thompson also shares backcourt duties with many-time Gilas Pilipinas member LA Tenorio, who belonged to the fabled cast that beat Korea in 2013.

The three-time PBA champion at Barangay Ginebra shared to the press that Tenorio and Cone were both active in passing wisdom to him.

"Si Kuya LA talaga, noong napasama ako sa [national team] pool, siya talaga 'yung kumausap sa'kin, sabi 'Kaya mo 'yan. And'yan ka na. Pag-igihan mo, huwag mong nang sayangin.'"

Cone, according to Thompson, was more than thrilled to see him serve the flag and country, as it also serves the Gin Kings' cause down the line.

"Gusto niyan na ma-experience namin 'to kasi alam niya, mas magiging mature kami as players after nito," Thompson said of his mentor. "Advantage din sa'min at para sa team."

Thompson joins Alex Cabagnot as one of the new faces that made Yeng Guiao's cut for the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers game against the bigger Iran on Thursday.

Thompson is also the youngest among the crew at just age 25.

And that alone, he said more than thrills him.

"Ako 'yung young blood dito sa grupong 'to," he offered. "Handa akong matuto sa mga veterans. And laking experience sa'kin 'to para sa career ko long-term."

"Excited tapos ready na ko," he closed.

Thompson and Team Pilipinas locks horns with the Iranians in Tehran, 9:30 p.m. on Thursday night.