Rookie Thompson rises to the occasion for Ginebra

PBA Semifinals game between the Ginebra Gin Kings and San Miguel Beermen. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Scottie Thompson had one important thing to do the moment he stepped into the court for the deciding Game 5 of the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals between his Barangay Ginebra Kings and the defending champion San Miguel Beermen.

“We designed the first play of the game for him to take the first shot,” said Kings coach Tim Cone. “I don’t care if you shoot or miss, you just shoot it. And when I said that the whole locker room kinda laughed.”

True to the team’s game plan, Thompson went out and missed his first shot.

The former NCAA MVP from Perpetual Help then took Ginebra’s next five attempts and nailed them all, setting the tone for a blowout in their Game 5 semifinal duel with the San Miguel Beermen Tuesday night.

Thompson scored 12 points in the first eight minutes, San Miguel’s entire output in the first quarter when the Kings built a 21-point lead.

“Coach just told me to stay aggressive and confident,” Thompson said in Filipino.

“The message was clearly sent to Scottie and right there we knew we had a shot in this game,” said Cone.

Thompson, who posted triple-double figures in Game 3, finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds in the biggest game of his career in front of over 20,000 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum, drawing comparisons with PBA legend Johnny Abarrientos.

“Johnny was incredible and we’re basically doing the same with Scottie what we have done with Johnny, who impacted the game every time he went out on the floor,” said Cone, who won a rare Grand Slam with Alaska in 1996 together with Abarrientos.

“I believe in players growing the proper way. Scottie, I think he needs to learn the ropes, respect the veterans, and earn his way,” added Cone, who will be in his 30th finals appearance in the Kings’ title matchup with coach Norman Black and the Meralco Bolts.

Fellow guard LA Tenorio and veterans Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand have willingly taken Thompson under their wings.

“Scottie earns his way everyday and made impacts in games to a point we couldn’t hold him back anymore,” said Cone. “It’s his time.”