SMART CLARK GIGA CITY — Another night, another do-it-all performance for Scottie Thompson.
The 6-foot-1 point guard flirted with a triple-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, helping Barangay Ginebra clinch the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup top seed through a 102-80 conquest of Terrafirma Dyip, Monday.
His outing came just 24 hours after registering 10 markers, nine boards, and 10 dimes versus reigning, five-time champions San Miguel Beermen. That performance, though, came in a losing cause as the Gin Kings got waylaid, 66-81.
“Just like what Coach Tim said, ‘Kailangan [mala-]Finals ‘tong game namin ngayon kasi sobrang crucial nga ‘to.’
“And at the same time, talagang kailangan naka-playoff mentality na kami para ready sa playoffs na,” he said.
Thompson has been one of the Barangay’s steady providers in this conference. After Monday night’s match, the former Perpetual star has per-game averages of 11.45 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.2 steals.
This isn’t new from the Davao Del Sur-native. But Thompson has extra motivation to double his efforts every night, despite the conditions of playing in the bubble.
Thompson, back in October, announced through social media that his grandmother passed away. Worse, he could not even pay his last respects since he and the Gin Kings were already at Clark Freeport by that time.
So the least he can do is to honor her every game, which he does with every all-out performance.
“‘Yun naman lagi kong ginagawa talaga, dinoble effort ko lang talaga every game. Especially now, na mas motivated ako nitong conference para sa lola ko. She passed away, hindi ko naabutan,” he recalled.
“So para sa kanya lahat ng laban na ‘to. And hopefully, maibigay ko sa kanya itong championship na ‘to.”
The league’s most popular team is among the favorites to win it all in this unique season. And they have now locked the top spot, which arms them with a coveted twice-to-beat edge for the quarterfinals.
Ginebra has yet to learn who they will face in the next round, which begins later this week. Until then, Thompson hopes that they will be able to sustain their momentum moving forward.
“Talagang we know na pinaghahandaan kami kung sinuman makalaban namin sa playoffs. Sana ‘yung momentum namin ngayon, magtuloy-tuloy hanggang playoffs.”
