TIM Cone was left in awe by the triple-double of Scottie Thompson in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, saying it is simply ‘legendary.’
“Let me just say it was a legendary performance. I think we’re going to remember this one for a long time,” said Cone after Thompson spearheaded Barangay Ginebra’s comeback from 16 points down against defending champion San Miguel, 105-91, on Sunday night before a crowd of 15,522 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
READ Scottie triple-double sparks Ginebra's series-tying win over SMB
Thompson finished with a career-high 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists for the 11th triple-double of his career - and his second this season.
But what made the feat special was the Ginebra guard becoming the first local PBA player since Johnny Abarrientos 33 years ago to register a 30-point triple double.
According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, Abarrientos, then a rookie at Alaska, had 30-15-14 in a losing cause against Swift (115-103) on April 11, 1993 during the All-Filipino Conference.
Ironically, Abarrientos was also playing under Cone back then.
But Thompson's feat was the first on a winning cause since Ronnie Magsanoc had 32-13-18 in a 155-108 Shell rout of Pepsi during the 1990 All-Filipino Conference eliminations.
This one with Thompson came in the middle of the semis however, and tied the best-of-seven series at two-game apiece.
The former MVP came out aggressively on offense, scoring 19 first half points – the best of his career – as he rallied the Kings from a 30-14 deficit in the first quarter and put Ginebra on top at 56-55 by halftime.
“I think he came out more aggressive tonight. Then he was looking for things, 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,” said Cone of his prized-player.
Thompson clinched the triple double when he fed Japeth Aguilar in a transition play for a two-handed slam dunk, giving the Kings, a 101-88 lead with 2:46 left in the game.
He later deferred to his teammates for pulling off the special triple-double, saying the Kings ‘lift up each other, help each other, and stay together.’
That prompted Cone to say Thompson is one of the two most humble guys in the league along with San Miguel’s nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo
“Scottie is the most humble guy you’ll ever meet maybe outside of June Mar,” said Cone, adding there’s just no ‘yabang’ in the veteran guard out of University of Perpetual Help.
“You can keep asking this guy the same question and he’ll keep deflecting it to other people. He won’t take any credit at all.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
