For yet another time this 2017-18 Philippine Cup, Scottie Thompson has proven that he’s Barangay Ginebra’s king of hustle.
The 6-foot-1 guard flirted with a triple-double, producing 14 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists to help Ginebra gain a 1-0 edge over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their quarterfinal series, Monday at Mall of Asia Arena.
This, even with the exhausting triple overtime game also against the Elasto Painters just three days ago still fresh in his and the Gin Kings’ minds.
“Ginawa ko lang yung best ko. Play hard lang,” said Thompson after the match.
“As coach Tim (Cone) said, doble dapat yung sipag namin kasi we know yung bench nila, lahat sila, yung gagawin nila is to crash the boards.
“Kasi I think, panalo kami sa rebounds nung triple overtime. I think 22 rebounds ahead ata kami so expected namin na talaga magka-crash the boards sila so double effort kami,” added the fifth overall pick of the 2015 Draft.
Even the multi-titled Cone could not help but sing praises for the hardworking Thompson for the remarkable outing he had, which helped the Barangay move a victory away from returning to the Philippine Cup semifinals.
“I thought Scottie was phenomenal all game long, hit big shots, hit big rebounds, defended extremely well. He was shockingly good. I mean, he’s always good, but he was shockingly good today,” said Cone.
“And he epitomizes what we hope that we are as a team in terms of that hard work and desire, he epitomizes what we do, and I just want to mention him because he was special tonight… He was extra special tonight.”
Now, the former Perpetual Atlas star has another chance to replicate this marvelous showing of his on Wednesday, March 7, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, as they aim to finish the Elasto Painters once and for all.
“We know Rain or Shine is a tough team din so alam nila yung mga lapses namin. Pag-aaralan nila. Kami rin, magaadjust din kami sa mga lapses namin,” said the Davaoeño star.
“Hopefully, makuha namin.”
