Ginebra is parading a different lineup heading into its PBA Governors’ Cup Finals rematch versus TNT, but Scottie Thompson is optimistic about how the present batch would fare in the upcoming series between corporate rivals.
The former league MVP is particularly positive about the impact RJ Abarrientos and Stephen Holt could bring, given their solid play thus far for the crowd darlings – especially in their recent semis battle against San Miguel Beer.
“Very big addition sa amin, ‘no,” offered Thompson shortly after the Kings sent their rivals home via 102-99 Game 6 win at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. “They’re one of the key [factors] na nakuha namin ‘tong panalong ‘to.”
Both guards weren’t even in the league yet when the perennial contenders faced each other in the Season 47 Governors’ Cup Finals, which witnessed the Tropa win in six games behind Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Mikey Williams.
The conference’s reigning Best Import is once again at the forefront of the flagship MVP Group’s back-to-back bid, although no longer around is the gunslinging guard as he and the team can’t agree on a new contract.
But it’s not just the former Finals MVP that won’t be present in the upcoming tiff. Ginebra will be playing in its first Finals sans Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle, a duo that won two titles with the franchise together.
That’s because the Kings traded the former BPCs to Terrafirma a day before the 2024 Draft in exchange for Holt plus a swap of their 10th overall pick for the Dyip’s third selection, which they used to get Abarrientos.
Since then, the backcourt tandem has emerged as key members of Coach Tim Cone’s rotation, leaving the more seasoned guys like Thompson impressed.
“Si RJ, talagang parang beterano maglaro. We all know yung experience niya sa international,” said the 31-year-old of Abarrientos, a former KBL Rookie of the Year who also had a stint in the B.League before going to the PBA.
“And si Holt, he’s a winner,” added Thompson of last season’s Rookie of the Year. “He’ll do everything kahit ano man yan. Kung ano yung pinapagawa sa kanya, never nagreklamo ‘yan. Talagang winning mentality siya.
“Ganda ng addition niya sa amin especially import stopper, mapa-malaki man o mapa-size niya, talagang mandiyan siya,” he added.
