PBA Finals: Desire to push Ginebra closer to title fuels Scottie

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Scottie Thompsons during Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT Tropang Giga. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Fueled by pure inspiration to win, Scottie Thompson took over when Ginebra needed it most during Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT.

Thompson had his fingerprints all over the pivotal win in another heroic outing that pushed the Gin Kings to a 3-2 lead over the Tropang Giga–just a victory away from the championship.

HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT Game 5

“I’m just really inspired to win this championship,” said an exhausted Thompson after their 73-66 win at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night.  “We all know it’s a grind-it-out game, possession by possession and we just didn’t want to quit.”

Thompson was in every corner of the court, especially down the stretch when his rebounds took away several chances for TNT to make a last-ditch attempt at stealing the lead.

The Gilas guard played like he was the league’s MVP all over again with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, not to mention the intangibles that he brings to Ginebra.

READ: PBA: Scottie Thompson making his impact for Ginebra beyond points

Ginebra coach Tim Cone was the first to acknowledge his golden guard’s insane hustle and how his inspired outing, in turn, also lit a fire under the the entire squad.

“So much of what Scottie does doesn’t show up on the score sheet but his impact is so much greater than that,” said the veteran tactician.

“You can see that more today with the way he inspires the whole team.”

Thompson and the Gin Kings hope to close out the series on Wednesday for Game 6, still at the Big Dome.