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Scottie Thompson may be a rookie in the PBA but when it comes to pressure, the youngster is well aware of how to push through it.
Ginebra was clinging to an 87-81 lead with less than a minute remaining, and with the shot clock winding down on the Gin Kings’ Thompson made the big basket that put the game away for the crowd darlings.
Thompson knocked down the clutch 3-pointer with 44 seconds left to give Ginebra a 90-81 margin, enough to fend off the Bolts for a 92-81 victory.
“Nung nakita ko shot clock pababa na and papunta sa akin si LA [Tenorio], confident na ako na itira yun,” said Thompson. who finished with five points, three assists, and two rebounds as Ginebra took a 3-2 series lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
This is the first time this series that a team has won back-to-back games but Thompson does not discount Meralco’s resilience especially in a knockout.
Thompson added that his head coach Tim Cone does not want the 3-2 lead to get into the players’ heads.
“Hindi ganun kadali, sobrang hirap pa, ang Meralco ready sila sa mga pinapakita namin and kaya nilang mag-adjust,” said Thompson. “Ready lang kami, si coach Tim he works out adjustments and kung ano pa puwedeng gawin.”
“Sabi ni coach not too high, not too low, relax lang kami, and wag na isipin ang game na ito.”