Deemed as the future of Barangay Ginebra, Scottie Thompson showed his time is now.
Thompson displayed his all-around brilliance in the grandest stage of the PBA Finals, playing an instrumental role in helping the Gin Kings dethrone the San Miguel Beermen to win the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup championship in six games.
The 25-year-old Thompson has been instrumental throughout the finals series, capping off his impressive performance with 12 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the title-clinching Game 6.
“I feel so blessed. I thank all my teammates especially the veterans, LA (Tenorio), Mark (Caguioa). They really served as my mentors on and off the court,” Thompson, who averaged 10.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in the finals, said in Filipino.
The third-year guard took his game to a whole new level beginning in Game 5, where he dazzled with 20 points, including the game-winning jumper, and 11 rebounds.
Thompson said one of his biggest motivations the last two games was the Ginebra fans, who, in Game 6 made up most of the 20-plus thousand in attendance at Mall of Asia Arena.
“One of things that motivated me was the fans. I kept thinking about the fans who traveled far just to show their support every game,” he said.
The 2014 NCAA MVP out of University of Perpetual Help said the Finals MVP plum was never in his mind.
“I never really thought about winning Finals MVP. I just wanted to win the championship.”