Scottie Thompson was showered with MVP chants by the Ginebra faithful at one point during Game Six of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, Friday night.
It happened at the 7:04-mark of the third, when he was sent to the line following an and-one play over Chris Newsome that gave the Barangay a 60-59 lead.
He missed the bonus, though Justin Brownlee was there at the right place and at the right time as the Best Import cleaned it up to widen the cushion.
“Kinakabahan nga ako roon e,” the reigning Best Player of the Conference admitted.
“Kasi baka mag-miss ‘yung free throw ko. Nagmintis.”
Scottie Thompson was showered with MVP chants while on the foul line during the 3rd qtr.
“Kinakabahan nga ako,” he admitted shortly after Game 6, where he helped Ginebra close out Meralco to win their 4th PBA Govs Cup title since 2016.@tiebreakertimes pic.twitter.com/n3UA0mjOVt
— Justine Bacnis (@justinebacnis) April 22, 2022
Those cheers proved to be a sign of what was to come. Shortly after the Gin Kings retained their title via a 103-92 decision against Meralco, the majority of the 20,000-plus fans inside the Mall of Asia Arena once again applauded him.
Thompson was hailed the Honda-PBA Press Corps Finals Most Valuable Player after averaging 17.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists.
And, yes, that included his production in the clincher. He finished with 15 points on a 63-percent clip from the floor, on top of three rebounds, three assists, and three steals in the 42 minutes and 25 seconds he played.
Photo by PBA Images
“I’m truly blessed,” said the now two-time Finals MVP. “Thankful sa coaching staff, especially Coach Tim. Hinahayaan niya kaming maglaro sa strength namin, and they find ways na maglaro kami sa strength namin.”
Those overwhelming chants could also be a foreshadowing of sorts. Thompson has now emerged as a strong candidate for the league’s highest individual honor following a conference to remember him.
All in one tourney, he bagged home both the BPC and the Finals MVP honors, topped, of course, by a PBA championship — his sixth overall.
Asked about the prospect of being crowned as the Season 46 MVP, the 28-year-old is taking a come-what-may approach.
“Sobrang blessed ‘pag nagkataon, pero hahayaan ko na ‘yung tadhana na magbigay sa akin noon, si Lord. So kung mangyari, kung hindi, okay lang.”
Because for him, the goal really is to win more championships. “‘Yung main goal is to win another championship. Sarap manalo ng championship eh, more than the special award. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung ano, nakaka-addict,” he said.
“Noong nakakuha ako ng championship, sobrang nakaka-addict. Doon lang mag-focus, ‘yung makatulong sa team, ‘yung championship. Kung mabigay, thank God pero maraming deserving,” added Thompson.
Photo by PBA Images
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