PBA: Second baby fuels Scottie Thompson’s Ginebra return

Ginebra guard Scottie Thompsons returns to action in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Scottie and wife Jinky Thompson gave birth to their second child last week.

Welcoming new baby Schyler Austin,  Thompson said, is what motivated him to get back on the court for Ginebra in the PBA Philippine Cup.

“That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to come back so bad. When my [second] baby came out, I was inspired to work more and start strengthening and conditioning,” said Thompson in Filipino after the Gin Kings’ dominant 105-86 win over Blackwater  at Philsports Arena on Friday.

READ: PBA: Ginebra crushes Blackwater to get back on track

“I was truly inspired by my new child and my wife. I saw her (Jinky) battles during labor and I got the motivation to come back right away.”

Thompson returned on Friday for Ginebra after nursing a back injury he sustained towards the the end of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers’ first window a few months ago.

The former league MVP showed his importance for the Gin Kings despite his limited 26 minutes of action.

READ: Scottie Thompson left frustrated as Ginebra takes beating

Despite scoring just four points and registering four fouls in the process, Thompson brought what the Gin Kings have been missing in the all-Filipino conference– ball movement–as he tallied eight assists in the win that put Ginebra on a 4-3 card.

Thompson played actively on the floor despite not being a hundred percent and he has his wife’s experience during childbirth to thank for that.

“I’m not really a hundred percent yet but I take things day-by-day with strengthening, conditioning and therapy so it keeps going,” he said.

“I brought her bravery to the court. She overcame giving birth in two years. I saw her struggles and pain and I was truly inspired that I brought it on the court. Seeing my baby born, it felt good.”