Ginebra rookie guard Scottie Thompson. PBA IMAGES
Tim Cone believes Scottie Thompson’s triple-double performance against San Miguel in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals is only the first of many.
Thompson, the fifth overall pick in the 2015 PBA Draft, picked up a tasty stat line of 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, making him the first homegrown rookie since Johnny Abarrientos to register a triple double.
“I’m so proud of him, he came into this league, and that’s his first but it won’t be his last,” said Cone Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum after their 97-96 game 3 win. “To me it’s a surprise because he scored that much.”
READ: Ginebra stuns San Miguel on Aguilar’s buzzer beater for 2-1 lead
And Cone couldn’t be happier for his young student, especially when Thompson matched up against 2016 PBA All-Star MVP Alex Cabagnot and 2015 Philippine Cup Finals MVP Chris Ross.
“He’s just a rookie and playing against a Finals MVP guy,” said Cone. “He’s holding his own.”
Thompson sealed his stat line with a sweet dish to import Justin Brownlee with 2:34 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 92-92. Ginebra went on to win on a buzzer beater from Japeth Aguilar.
“There are many many reasons to be excited.”