SCOTTIE Thompson never ceases to amaze Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone who marvelled at his do-it-all guard's commitment to hard work in the 2022-2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals despite his superstar status.
Thompson tallied 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and six steals in Ginebra’s 114-99 win over Bay Area last Sunday in Game Seven.
Aside from those numbers, Thompson also played a part in putting the clamps on high-scoring Bay Area import Myles Powell, who had to earn all his 29 points after shooting 9-of-22 from the field.
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Cone said the role played by Thompson not only last Sunday but also in Game Six was rarely seen in a superstar like himself.
“Poor Scottie,” said Cone. “We asked him to do so much.”
“He is the only superstar out there that is going to defend the import of the other team, that is going to handle the ball, going to get every rebound, how many superstars are going to do that? Do the dirty work, and still score, still assist, and still play at that energy level that he plays.”
Despite his work, Thompson also fell victim to a Powell highlight when he fell down after a crossover move by Powell in the third. Thompson though bounced back in a big way on the following possessions with two get-away lay-ups and forcing an offensive foul that enabled Ginebra to keep its big lead in Game Seven.
“He never relaxes,” Cone said. “We always watch superstars play great moments and not-so-great moments. They kinda go up and down because they are superstars. They can get away with it. Just none of that with Scottie. None of that.”
“The fact that we can ask him for 48 minutes to go out and guard Powell all the way, it’s truly amazing. He is an amazing player much more than I think people really appreciate. I know everybody appreciates him but even though they appreciate him a lot, it’s still not enough for all the things that he does. Amazing, truly,” said Cone.
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