Scottie Thompson put up a historic triple-double performance to will Ginebra past San Miguel, 105-91, and resuscitate their aspirations in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semis, Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The former league MVP finished with a career-best 35 points alongside 11 rebounds and 11 assists, as he powered the Kings’ late-game pullaway to eventually complete the comeback after falling into a 14-point hole early.
Thompson scored nine in a 12-3 spurt to turn a one-point Beermen lead into a 91-83 advantage with 5:42 to go to put themselves ahead permanently.
(C) PBA Images
He then went on to notch the statistical feat with a feed to Japeth Aguilar for a two-handed jam that inflated their lead to 101-88 with 2:46 to go, thus becoming the first local player to notch a 30-point triple-double in 33 long years.
The last to do so was Ronnie Magsanoc, when the ‘Point Laureate’ finished with a 32-14-18 line to lead Shell to a 155-108 rout of Pepsi during the 1990 All-Filipino Conference, according to league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
“I think he came out and he was more aggressive tonight, he was looking for things,” said head coach Tim Cone. “And I think the more he became a threat, the more he was able to open up lanes for him to make passes as well.”
It was actually a balanced attack by Ginebra, with four others finishing in double figures. Japeth Aguilar, for one, had 14 points and six rebounds.
Norbert Torres made 13 points behind three triples, including one that gave them the lead for good at 82-80 with 9:16 remaining before Thompson went on a personal heater run that laid the foundation to their breakaway.
Jayson David supplied 12 points and seven assists while RJ Abarrientos added 11 points, 4 rebounds, and five dimes off the bench for the Kings.
That spread-out production was big thanks to their 34 assists, which is their most in a game since tallying 37 in a 131-106 victory over NorthPort during the Season 49 Philippine Cup elimination round back on April 30.
“We had 30-plus assists tonight, and when we can make 30-plus assists, that’s when we’re really at our best. So the guys really embraced the idea of ball movement tonight. I really, really appreciate that,” lauded Cone.
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CJ Perez led San Miguel with 22 points, with Chris Ross backing him up with 20, as Coach Leo Austria tried to get other possible sources of offense, with June Mar Fajardo being limited not just by the defense but hurting shoulders as well.
The nine-time MVP only had nine points in a rare back-to-back single-digit scoring performances, but had 20 rebounds and five assists.
Jericho Cruz was the only other player for the Beermen in double digits with 15, as Don Trollano got held to only eight points after firing 33 the last time out.
The series is back to square one, both sides will look to take the 3-2 lead in Game 5 on Wednesday, January 14, 7:30 p.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
Ginebra 105 – Thompson 35, J.Aguilar 14, Torres 13, David 12, Abarrientos 11, Cu 7, Rosario 6, Holt 4, Pinto 3, R.Aguilar 0.
San Miguel 91 – Perez 22, Ross 20, Cruz 15, Fajardo 9, Trollano 8, Brondial 7, Tautuaa 5, Cahilig 3, Rosales 2, Lassiter 0, Tiongson 0, Teng 0.
Quarterscores: 26-36, 56-55, 72-75, 105-91.
