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With Ginebra’s three-guard combo terrorizing the open court, Scottie Thompson was once again front and center in the rally, orchestrating the Gin Kings’ huge 115-108 victory over the San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of their best-of-5 semifinals series in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup.
But the rookie guard shared that just like his head coach Tim Cone, he refuses to settle with the way he and his team is playing.
“Hindi pa ako satisfied kasi sabi ni coach Tim, kung naglaro kami ng maganda ngayon, dapat next game maganda pa rin,” he said.
Thompson recorded a near triple-double performance on Monday, tallying 11 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the victory, almost the same numbers he normed when he lorded the collegiate scene last year.
But for the Digos City native, he credits his veteran backcourt partners for his superb statline.
“Kahit sinong kasabay ko na beterano: Mark (Caguioa), Sol (Mercado), LA (Tenorio), o Jayjay (Helterbrand), kinakausap nila ako sa game at mino-motivate nila ako para mag-jell kami sa game. Yun yung nangyari ng fourth quarter, nagkakaintindihan at nagkakaamuyan kami sa court sa transition,” he said.
With Thompson leading the break, the Gin Kings weathered an early 13-point deficit and fought back in the second half, finally taking control of the game as they raced to a 12-point lead early in the fourth, an advantage they would never surrender.
It also helped that Thompson found a cutting Caguioa numerous times during that tear, sparking comparisons of the Caguioa-Helterbrand combo of old.
“Noong una, talagang hinahanap ko si kuya Mark,” he said. “Every time na nasa loob si kuya Mark, sinasabihan nya lang ako na i-drive at nandoon lang sya sa ilalim. Sabi nya ganoon din sila dati ni kuya Jayjay.”
As much of a confidence booster the win was, Thompson said Ginebra still is wary of a tough fightback from the defending champions.
“Sana di na kami matambakan sa una kasi mahirap maghabol. Iba naman ang lalaruin ng San Miguel kaya dapat mas higitan namin yung Game 1,” he said.