For Scottie Thompson, having Jared Dillinger in Barangay Ginebra’s upcoming 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals clash with a familiar foe in Meralco is truly an advantage for the Gin Kings.
The crowd darlings stole a page from the Bolts’ playbook in May of last year when they scooped up the 6-foot-4 forward from the free-agent pool, ending his five-year stint with the Orangemen.
Dillinger has since seen limited action for his new team due to his recurring quad injury. He did, however, play in all four games of Ginebra’ quarters affair with the NorthPort Batang Pier.
“Unang-una, sobrang happy kami especially ngayon healthy na si JD,” Thompson said during the Finals’ press conference, Saturday afternoon at Sambokojin in Eastwood, Quezon City.
Dillinger will be a major factor for Ginebra in the title series, especially given his familiarity with Meralco. Previously, he’d helped the Bolts reach the 2016 and 2017 Governors’ Cup Finals.
But beyond that, Thompson said the real edge Dillinger gives them is the presence of another leader.
The 35-year-old is indeed wealthy in experience. The second overall pick of the 2008 Draft, Dillinger has five PBA titles under his belt, which he all won with Talk N Text Tropang Texters.
“For sure marami siyang maco-contribute sa ‘min, ‘di lang sa laro kasi sa practice nakikita namin, talagang veteran siya, leader siya para sa team. Isa siya sa naging leaders namin ngayon,” he said.
“‘Yun ‘yung sigurong advantage namin — nadagdagan yung leader namin sa team.”
