Scottie Thompson guarding Alex Cabagnot. PBA IMAGES
For 23 years, Johnny Abarrientos triple double stood in time as the only stat line of a homegrown PBA rookie.
On Friday, the Flying A found a worthy company in Scottie Thompson.
Ginebra’s prized rookie tallied 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists making him the first Philippine-born newbie, since Abarrientos, to have such line.
And he couldn’t do it if not for his big brothers in Ginebra.
READ: Aguilar drains buzzer-beater as Ginebra stuns San Miguel for 2-1 lead
“Siguro wala akong masabi, thankful lang at saka blessed sa mga kuya ko kasi pinu-push nila ako kung ano dapat gawin,” said Thompson after helping Ginebra beat San Miguel 97-96 in the semifinals of the PBA Governos’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Sobrang proud ako na sila mentor ko.”
Ginebra took a pivotal 2-1 series lead over San Miguel in the five-game series, and in the middle of the see-saw battle Thompson said he needed to talk to himself just to calm him down.
READ: Cone: Thompson’s triple-double won’t be his last
His prayers while inside the court also helped cool his nerves down.
“Siguro nung crucial kanina hindi ko na iniisip ang kaba,” said Thompson. “Sinasabi ko na ‘mananalo kami, mananalo kami’ and nung nasa loob ako ng court nagsasalita ako mag-isa.”
And Scottie was not alone in keeping himself and the team calm in those tight moments.
READ: WATCH: A day in the life of Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson
Veteran point guard LA Tenorio became his guiding voice in the final one minute.
“Yung crucial na one minute, sabi sa akin ni LA ‘Scottie, rebound ka, sa’yo ‘yan,’” said Thompson of Tenorio who himself had a near triple-double.
Tenorio finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.
“Eksakto napupunta sa akin yung bola, ayun nag-gamble kami at napunta sa kanya. Na-relax niya yung team and relax na relax din si Japeth [Aguilar],” said Thompson of the forward’s buzzer-beater. “Nung napasok ni Japeth para kaming nabunutan ng tinik, nawala pagod.”