Scottie Thompson’s incredible rebounding prowess and his ability to put numbers across the board may continue to surprise people, but for Ginebra coach Tim Cone, that performance was pretty much expected.
The legendary coach knows that it is typical of Thompson to bounce back, especially after a quiet Game One where he was limited to just 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Thompson responded in the only way he knew how — with energy, energy and more energy — and it paid off immensely, as Ginebra gutted out a 124-118 overtime win in Lucena.
“I’m not surprised.
“He did not have a good first game. We designed some plays to get him going early, he hit a couple of shots that jumped his game into another level,” Cone said as Thompson put up 18 points, while grabbing 18 boards on top of eight assists and three steals.
Cone knew that San Miguel was wary of Thompson’s way of getting extra possessions, that’s why the 19-time PBA champion was all praises to Thompson after their debilitating win.
“We were watching video of Game 1, and they were very, very concentrated on keeping him off the boards. Guards were really boxing him out, but Scottie found a way today. He found a way to get around them and get those rebounds,” Cone continued.
And Thompson was just grateful to his coaches for giving him this opportunity.
“Credit lang talaga sa mga coaching staff, kay coach Tim, kasi tinitignan nila kung paano yung depensa ng San Miguel sa amin. Lahat naman talaga, di lang ako, binibigyan ng kumpyansa ng mga coaches in today’s game. Nasa coaching staff talaga,” the second-year league veteran said.
“Ang gusto ko lang i-repay sila.”
“Hindi ako humihinto. Talagang iniisip ko na sana mapagod sila sa kakahanap sila sakin sa rebound so talagang di ako humihinto. Sabi ni coach Tim kung sino may gusto makakakuha nito,” the 23-year-old Davaoeño furthered.
“[E ako] gustong gusto ko ipanalo at i-tie yung series.”
Seeing first-hand Thompson’s 43-minute masterpiece, Cone was lost for words with how to describe what he had witnessed.
“Amazing, amazing guy. There’s just nobody like him,” remarked Cone, who has been a head coach since 1989.
