UP THE ANTE
Our latest cover story, “UP THE ANTE,” spotlights three individuals who have imprinted their marks on their respective fields by refusing to settle. From the hardwood floors of the basketball court to the corporate boardrooms of the local business landscape, these leaders are redefining what it means to reach a milestone. Whether it’s securing an era-defining partnership or upholding the “Never Say Die” spirit of the proudest of sports franchises, Scottie Thompson, Erick Su, and Jasper Vicencio are showing by example what it’s like to champion Philippine sports.
The People’s Champion: Scottie Thompson
When you speak of Scottie Thompson, you aren’t just talking about a basketball player; you are talking about a cultural phenomenon. His “heart over height” style of play has captured fans from across all islands of our hoops crazy country. As a mainstay for the most popular team in the Philippines, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, as well as the beloved Men’s Basketball National Team, Gilas Pilipinas, Thompson carries a weight of expectation that would crush lesser athletes. Yet, as he sits down with us, it’s clear that his focus isn’t on the accolades, but on the evolution of his responsibility.
Hours before we had the pleasure of his company, Scottie Thompson had just come from practice, along with a separate media photoshoot and interview session. Not his usual routine — but nonetheless, like the true pro that he is, he showed up ready and focused to deliver on the task at hand.
While waiting for his turn to get groomed and styled, Scottie set up his tablet and tuned in intently to the ongoing PBA game. I thought to myself, “Wow. This is what a true student of the game is.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m the most popular player in my team,” Thompson says with a characteristic humility that has become his trademark. “But Ginebra is indeed the most popular team in the Philippines. That means a lot of responsibility for us. I will never get tired of the support from our millions of fans, but at the same time, I don’t want to take it for granted.”
Looking at Scottie’s basketball career in retrospect, it’s evident how he has continuously raised his game with every level of competition. His journey from a student-athlete to a national icon is anchored by a rigid set of internal values: Discipline and Responsibility.
“In college, you fight for school pride. In the pros, you fight for your team’s history. At the national level, you fight for the Philippine flag,” Thompson explains.
Not everyone gets to live their dreams and compete at the level Scottie Thompson does. He says that his reality has exceeded the expectations he had as a young kid, crediting much of his success to the people he met along the way. “I never expected myself to actually lead my teams but I was blessed enough to have teammates and coaches that allowed me to perform to the best of my abilities,” Scottie says.
Speaking of responsibilities, since 2023, he has served as the inaugural ambassador for the country’s leading sportsbook, ArenaPlus. While they have a plethora of other basketball stars and athletes, including the likes of Justin Brownlee and NBA legend Derrick Rose, Scottie has been the face of the brand since its founding.
“At the start, I was the only one representing ArenaPlus, but now we have our own All-Star team.” He goes on to name his Ginebra brothers, RJ Abarrientos and Justin Brownlee, alongside other local basketball, volleyball, and even golf athletes.
“Really, the best change that ArenaPlus has brought since my time here is that we’ve expanded to other sports. I love how ArenaPlus is telling the Philippines that we are so much more than a basketball country. We can be great in any sport, and I’m 100% behind that message,” he adds.
Lastly and perhaps most importantly, Scottie has found success in life beyond the hardwood. He has a full grasp and understanding of how athletic careers don’t last forever and how important it is to prepare for the future.
When he unlaces his sneakers and takes off his jersey, Scottie is a husband to his wife Jinkee and father to his 3 sons, Scot Alystair, Schuyler Austin, and Storm Atticus. He also puts his degree in Business Administration from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) to good use as he’s involved in many different ventures that span across different industries.
When asked if there was a “secret sauce” to what makes Scottie Thompson tick, he kept it simple and enumerated what traits have worked for him throughout his entire career.
“The first two are humility and gratitude.” He shares that these are the foundational values that were instilled in him since he was young, and how these traits got him farther in life than he thought possible.
“The next ones are discipline and responsibility.” He goes on to tell us how these shared values are what allowed his partnership with ArenaPlus to be as successful as it is.
And lastly, there’s NSD or Never Say Die. “In sports and in life, as long as there’s time to turn things around, the journey is never over.”
“I know what it feels like to win when everyone else has counted you out. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
The Strategic Visionary: Erick Su and the goal to bring the best of the world to the Philippines
If Scottie Thompson is the face of the brand, Erick Su, Head of ArenaPlus, is the strategic brain driving its aggressive expansion. Under his leadership, ArenaPlus has transitioned from a rapidly growing enterprise to a dominant market leader.
Much like Scottie, Su (as he’s called by his colleagues) remains laser-focused on work, even outside the office. Taking calls in between poses, one can immediately see the reason behind the brand’s sustained success. In a light moment though, I was able to playfully ask him which is more challenging — running ArenaPlus or posing and having his photos taken. Without batting an eyelash, he said, “the photoshoot for sure,” with a laugh.
As far as achievements and milestones go, Su is crystal clear that ArenaPlus’ historic partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA) tops the list.
“ArenaPlus becoming the NBA’s first Official Betting Partner in the Philippines is a big moment for us. It’s not just about the name — it’s about what it allows us to do,” Su says.
“The Philippines is one of the most passionate NBA markets, and this partnership lets us build experiences around that – from predictions, to community, to on-ground activations.” Su adds that the real value lies in making the game feel closer and more interactive for fans rather than something they simply watch.
Su’s approach to leadership is defined by a refusal to settle for success. This uncompromising attitude is also evident in how the brand has gone about their business since they started — making sure that they are aligned with the local regulations. This philosophy brings to mind the mantra, “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” This kind of leadership creates a quiet confidence among everyone involved — one that allows the team to make bold moves knowing no stone was left unturned in the process.
“Now that we’ve built that foundation, we’re in a position to go bigger — whether that’s through partnerships like the NBA or by creating more ways for fans to engage with sports beyond just placing a bet.” Su confidently states.
While ArenaPlus has solidified its hold on the major local leagues like the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) and PVL (Premier Volleyball League), Su is looking toward the horizon — golf, football, and boxing. His mission is to provide a platform where the legendary passion of Filipino fans can be channeled into a premium, secure entertainment experience.
For Su, the chemistry of the team is paramount. He speaks of his colleagues not as executives, but as teammates in a high-pressure league.
“Jasper and Scottie represent what we believe in — passion, discipline, and a real connection to the game,” Su notes. “When the stakes are this high, to those who understand what it takes to build something of true significance, having the right kind of people around you matters the most.”
“If we’re able to build something that feels natural to that — something that adds to how they (fans) enjoy sports — then I think we’ve done our job,” states Su.
The Architect of Growth: Jasper Vicencio and the DigiPlus Blueprint
Another key figure behind the success of ArenaPlus is Jasper Vicencio, part of the broader DigiPlus group. While Su manages the brand’s frontline, Vicencio provides the structural vision that allows these brands to thrive within the Philippine regulatory and cultural landscape.
Sounds daunting. That’s because it is. However, there is a certain grace and joie de vivre about Jasper that perhaps makes meeting such demands palatable. Despite the responsibilities bestowed upon him, he remains very grounded and truly connected with every member of his team. Exchanging jokes and posing for behind-the-scenes photos (which he joked his kids would later critique), Vicencio made it clear that a strong internal culture exists within the organization — one that undoubtedly contributes to the company’s growth.
“ArenaPlus has grown tremendously,” Vicencio observes, reflecting on the three-year journey since its 2023 inception. “In just three years, we landed partnerships with the country’s biggest sports leagues. Our brands have been a success story, and ArenaPlus is no different.”
Vicencio’s perspective centers on creating “elevated experiences.” He isn’t interested in just maintaining a sportsbook; he is interested in bridging the gap between local talent and international standards. By bringing in global talent and hosting tournaments like the ISSP, Vicencio is helping raise the standard for the entire Filipino sports ecosystem.
When selecting ambassadors like Manny Pacquiao or Miguel Tabuena, Vicencio looks for more than just skill — he looks for integrity. “As ArenaPlus is an advocate of responsible gaming, it is important to partner with athletes known for their integrity,” he says. This commitment to ethics over pure profit is what sets the DigiPlus group apart.
The synergy between Vicencio and Su is evident to anyone watching them interact. It’s a light-hearted, high-trust relationship that Vicencio deems essential for workplace dynamics. “Erick and I get along… I can talk about his unbelievable work ethic for days,” he shares. This internal harmony is the engine that allows them to confidently tell the Filipino community to expect “big things” in the near future.
All this talk of bigger things ahead is certainly exciting. After all, the brand has done nothing but deliver on its promises and then some. The stakes have never been higher, and being a Filipino sports fan has never been more exciting. For the powerhouse partnership of Thompson, Su, and Vicencio, the message is clear: The arena is yours for the taking, provided you have the discipline to conquer it.
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Publisher: James Leonard Cruz • Art Director: Karlota Tuazon • Interview: Gab Reyes and Arlove Abarrientos • Cover Story: James Leonard Cruz • Photographer: Arvyn Peter Radovan • Videographer: Jeremy Thomas De Ramos and Mags Reyes • Hair and Makeup: Team Muriel Vega Perez • Stylist: Edrick Paz • Social Media: Alujon Gilbuena and Carlo Cruz
