Ginebra leans on Thompson’s lockdown defense, triple double in crucial win

When Stanley Pringle put up a career-high 50 points in Globalport’s previous game, Barangay Ginebra immediately took notice.

Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone knew they couldn’t afford to let Pringle catch fire once more especially with the no. 6 spot in the standings, and a best-of-three quarterfinals series, hanging in the balance.

Fortunately, Cone had a defensive dynamo in triple-double machine Scottie Thompson who could put breaks on Pringle.

Thompson put the clamps on Pringle, limiting Globalport’s star to just 14 points, with only one field goal from two-point area, as the Gin Kings cruised to an easy 116-98 win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

“I think the key to the game was how well Scottie Thompson played Pringle on defense,” said Cone Friday at Cuneta Astrodome. “I just felt he was outstanding, I don’t remember, I’m probably wrong, but I don’t remember Stanley getting a two-point shot.”

“I just remember him scoring on a two-point shot at a transition layup. Scottie did a great job on limiting his touches and that was really the key,” added Cone.

And Thompson did not just limit Pringle, but he also recorded his fourth career triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.

Ginebra also sealed the no. 6 seed wherein they won’t have a twice-to-beat disadvantage in the quarterfinals.

“Coming into this game, I only had one focus but to limit him,” said Thompson, who helped the Gin Kings to their fifth straight win and a 6-5 record, in Filipino. “We really prepared for that because he just had 50 points.”

“The coaching staff had a well thought of game plan and that was what brought us the victory,” added Thompson.