Scottie Thompson played his best game of the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals — so far — on Wednesday night.
The versatile guard was in his element, collecting 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block. And his performance helped Barangay Ginebra take Game Four over Meralco, 94-72.
Thompson’s scoring output is his most so far in the series. He only scored a total of 11 points in the first three games, including a two-point outing in Game One, which Ginebra won narrowly.
Still, the 26-year-old said that his commendable showing — especially on offense — is just a bonus; instead, his focus is on giving his best on defense from the start of the series.
“Bonus na lang siguro ‘yung naka-score ako kasi first of all, nung start ng series, andito ako with a defensive mindset eh,” Thompson said moments after the match at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“So kung sinong ibigay sa ‘kin ni coach Tim (Cone), ‘yun tine-take ko ‘yung challenge na ‘yun para makatulong sa team, at the same time makuha ‘yung panalo.”
Moreover, what’s most important for Thompson is the victory, since it gave Ginebra a commanding 3-1 lead.
That puts the crowd darlings in a position to finish things off in Game Five on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, and clinch their third Governors’ Cup championship in four seasons.
Thompson, though, isn’t looking too far ahead, saying that close-out games are the toughest to play on.
“Meralco is a very tough team. ‘Yun ang pinaka-mahirap na laro eh, ‘yung close-out games,” he said.
“Isipin namin do-or-die na kasi mahirap na ‘pag iniisip namin may advantage kami. ‘Yun ‘yung sinasabi sa’ min ni coach Tim, so sana more motivated pa kami coming into Game Five.”
