Thompson shrugs off fatigue, posts near triple-double in Kings win

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Ginebra needed three overtimes to fend off Rain or Shine, 100-92, on Friday, and with the two teams going at it on Monday in Game 1 of their 2018 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, Scottie Thompson already knew what to expect.

“We know Rain or Shine is a tough team. We know each other too well, especially our lapses, so we knew we had to grind this game out,” he said.

Fatigued from the last game, Thompson knew he had no other choice but to find a way to muster all of his energy in the series opener.

Somehow, someway, he found the strength to double his effort on both ends of the floor as the sophomore guard almost nabbed a rare triple-double with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists in the Gin Kings’ 88-80 victory.

“We just did what coach told us. We worked hard and through that hard work, it paid off,” he said. “As coach Tim said, we knew their bench is deep and they will do everything to get the win, so we should also double our effort.”

With Thompson keeping the ship afloat, the Gin Kings gained a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series and now has a chance to sweep the Elasto Painters on Wednesday in Game 2.

But the former University of Perpetual Help star knows that even this effort won’t be enough for a desperate Rain or Shine side aching to equalize the series at Smart Araneta Coliseum, making him more giddy to double, or even triple his efforts in the next game.

“We got Game 1 and that’s important for us. But it’s important that we learn from our mistakes and also adjust on our lapses. Hopefully, we get it again,” he said.