DASMARINAS – Scottie Thompson knows his numbers have dipped in the ongoing PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup playoffs, especially in the semis.
For the Barangay Ginebra floor general, it’s mainly because of the way Meralco has been keeping him in check defensively, which has definitely helped their bitter rivals a great deal as the latter is now up 2-1 in the best-of-7 series.
“Talagang they defended well, scouted well,” he offered shortly after their 87-80 Game 3 defeat, Wednesday night at the Dasmarinas City Arena here.
Thompson has yet to be felt since dropping 11 points, six rebounds, 10 assists, and seven steals in their 99-77 rout of Magnolia in the quarterfinals.
In Game 3 alone, the 2022 PBA MVP only finished with eight points on a measly 2-of-13 shooting from the field, nine rebounds, four assists, and a block against four turnovers in the 35 minutes and nine seconds he saw action.
He only averaged 5.5 points on a 26.3-percent shooting clip, 4.5 boards, and 4.0 assists in the last two games. Thompson made up for it on the defensive side of the floor with 1.5 steals and 2.5 blocks, though.
But he’s not offering any excuse, with his and Ginebra’s sights set on making whatever adjustments could be made in a bid to take Game 4.
“But it’s up to me to keep fighting,” he said. “Mahaba pa ‘yung series. Let’s see what we can do in Game 4. Ahead sila ng one game sa amin.
“We have to battle through this series,” added Thompson, who’s still groping for form from the back injury that caused him to miss the early part of the tilt.
“I think they’re handling well sa offense nila, and they’re defending well. Lahat ng guards nila, super aggressive. Sana ma-match namin sa next game.”
