Scottie Thompson did not expect to be bestowed with the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) honors in the 2022 PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Ginebra star admitted that he was surprised, for he never thought that a ‘role player’ like him could actually win such a coveted award.
“Hindi naman ako talagang scorer,” he said.
“Nagulat ako kasi pwede palang makakuha ng ganitong award yung mga role player, hardworking.“
Thompson won his first-ever BPC plum after providing the much-needed lift for a Gin Kings side hampered by injuries basically throughout the season.
That saw him become more assertive on offense, beginning in the tail end of the eliminations to help the reigning champs keep their repeat bid alive.
And after the quarterfinals where he and the Barangay overcame TNT’s twice-to-beat, the 28-year-old shot up to no. 2 from no. 6 in the BPC stats race.
On Wednesday night, a coronation waiting to happen pretty much since the semis took place, witnessed by over 17,000 fans at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Photo by PBA Images
“Nakakagulat kasi ‘yun nga, up and down yung season namin. Nag-step up lang din lahat, especially ako, personally,” said Thompson.
“‘Yung mentality namin as a team, next man up. Nag step up din ako kasi sobrang daming injured sa amin,” he added.
He was quick to shift his focus on the Finals’ Game Four, and his vastly-improved scoring was on display that ultimately helped Ginebra’s cause.
Thompson equaled his career-high in points with 27 on 10-of-16 shooting from the field, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc to help lead his side to the 95-84 conquest of rivals Meralco — tying the series at 2-2 in the process.
“Like I said kanina, distraction sa’kin yan. so nag-focus ako sa game,” said the NCAA Season 90 MVP, who also had four rebounds and four assists.
“Kung ano man ‘yung lumabas kanina, kung ano ‘yung kinalabasan sa awardings, hindi ko na iniisip ‘yun. For now talaga naka-focus ako sa Game Four para makabalik kami sa series,” he added.
Thompson winning the BPC has also put him in a position to win the Most Valuable Player plum at the season’s end. But that is far from his mind since all that he wants is to win the championship,
“Wala, ‘yun nga, gusto lang namin ,akuha itong championship na ito kasi very special to kasi after two years, nakapaglaro ulit kami, bumalik yung mga fans,” said the five-time PBA champion.
“Very special to kasi yung mga fans, alam niyo naman yung gusto nila na ibigay namin sa kanila.”
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