PBA: Scottie Thompson sidelined in Ginebra win with back injury

FILE–Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Scottie Thompson was in civilian clothes during Ginebra’s 113-107 win over Rain or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup.

In the first game of the conference for the Gin Kings, the squad lacked their top playmaker due to a back injury.

Unfortunately, there’s no timetable yet for Thompson’s return as Ginebra wants the Gilas Pilipinas guard to take his time recovering from the bulged disc in his back.

READ: PBA: Jamie Malonzo pours 32 as Ginebra defeats Rain or Shine

“It’s a huge challenge and we’re hoping to get him back at some point but it’s one of those issues where you can’t put a timeline on it,” said Cone at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.

“We don’t know when he’ll be back. This was an issue that was bothering him in the [Fiba] Qualifiers, it happened a lot that he was having issues with his back that he sat through some practices.”

“He fought his way through the games, we tried to limit his minutes in the games hoping he wouldn’t get too bad but it got worse and now we’re paying for that here, he’s missing games with Ginebra.”

READ: PBA: High expectations for Scottie Thompson ahead of new season

Thankfully for the Gin Kings, the troika of guards Maverick Ahanmisi, John Pinto and Stanley Pringle stepped up in Thompson’s absence.

Ahanmisi waxed hot from the field with 18 points while Pringle tallied 12 to his name.

Nards Pinto started for Ginebra and, while not contributing much on offense, had an all-around game with five points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

“In the meantime, Nards, Mav and obviously Jamie (Malonzo) stepped up big time. I was really pleasantly surprised that we were able to do what we did tonight without Scottie.”

Ginebra will continue to miss Thompson’s services when the Gin Kings clash against Phoenix on Sunday.