Scottie Thompson was so aggressive on offense that he actually ended up without a single assist in Ginebra’s eventual win over Meralco in Game 4 of their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinal clash, Friday night.
It’s extremely rare to see the 2022 MVP go dimeless in a match given that he’s all about setting up others being a floor general, that he himself was surprised upon being made aware of it moments after their 90-71 victory.
“Actually, hindi ko alam,” he told reporters at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Feeling ko may pasa naman ako. Ngayon ko lang nalaman.”
“Ang pangit sa pakiramdam, parang ang buwaya ko naman,” added Thompson in between chuckles, drawing some giggles from members of the press as well.
A quick check by PBA stats chief Fidel Mangonon III revealed that the last time the two-time BPC had no assist in a game was in Ginebra’s 107-89 win over TNT in the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup eliminations back on April 23, 2017.
But for Thompson, none of that matters to him. The win was more important, allowing the Barangay to tie the best-of-7 series at two games apiece.
“Sa ngayon it’s not about stats na ‘no,” he said, “it’s about kung ano ‘yung need ng team. As long as ‘yung team nakapag-assist … Kahit hindi manggaling sa akin ‘yung assist basta ‘yung score namin coming from assist.”
Plus, his team was beyond proud of the way he performed. After only having 6.3 points on 21.8-percent from the floor in the last three games, he shot 6-of-7 from the field — including 3-of-3 from deep — for 15 points.
“Scottie has been struggling, and it’s good to see him break out,” said Coach Tim Cone after seeing his prized guard play his best game of the playoffs yet.
For Thompson, much of the credit goes to no less than Ginebra governor and SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua for the words of encouragement.
“Talagang iba ‘yung motivation na binibigay sa akin ni Boss Al. Ni-remind niya ako kung paano ako nagsimula. Ni-remind niya ako kung sino ako. Iba ‘yung coming from Boss Al, ‘yung words na binibigay niya sa akin,” he said.
“Iba ‘yung feeling coming into this game na na-motivate ka ni Boss Al. Credit talaga kay Boss sa pag-boost ng confidence sa akin to show up today. Really needed that. ‘Yun ‘yung game-changer,” added Thompson.
