Barangay Ginebra is on the brink of quenching its thirst for a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) title.
While all eyes are fixed on resident import Justin Brownlee doing all the heavy lifting in the Kings’ championship run in the Commissioner’s Cup against a familiar and formidable rival in TNT, local star Scottie Thompson is playing his role to the tee.
A silent operator, the prized guard is chipping in consistent production and most importantly contributing the intangibles that got Ginebra within a win from claiming its 16th crown and first since ruling the 2023 edition of the mid-season tournament.
“I’m just truly inspired by the fans. It’s been a long time since we’ve won a championship. So, I just want to give my all in this championship series. Whatever it takes,” Thompson said.
The 31-year-old workhorse played clutch in Game 5, hitting crucial baskets down the stretch in Ginebra’s 73-66 win last Sunday for a 3-2 best-of-seven series lead.
Thompson accounted for eight of the Kings’ last eight points in the game. He finished with 16 points, 10 boards and five assists.
The 2021 PBA Most Valuable Player has been averaging a team second-best 14.6 points per game, 10.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists on top of a superb defensive effort of 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per outing.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone couldn’t help but marvel at the two-time Best Player of the Conference.
“There’s just so much that Scottie does,” Cone said of the Gilas Pilipinas star.
“There is so much that Scottie does that doesn’t show up in the scorecard or the points or the rebounds,” the mentor added.