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    Cone left in awe by Thompson: 'He was jumping over everybody'

    Cone left in awe by Thompson: 'He was jumping over everybody'
    Jul 23, 2018
    PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

    SCOTTIE Thompson was like a man possessed on Monday in Game Four of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals against Rain or Shine.

    Thompson pulled down 10 rebounds, including two against Rain or Shine import Reggie Johnson and Raymond Almazan in the endgame that helped seal Barangay Ginebra's 96-94 win over Rain or Shine and 3-1 semifinal victory.

    Ginebra coach Tim Cone was lost for words when asked about Thompson’s rebounding prowess in Game Four.

    “Seems like he was grabbing everything,” said Cone. “Jumping over everybody. Jumping over Johnson, jumping over Almazan. I mean, my gosh, getting that offensive rebound. He is just … He makes me speechless. He really does.”

    While he praised the clutch scoring of Joe Devance who scored a game-high 19 points including eight in the fourth quarter, Cone conceded the rebounds of Thompson in the endgame were the plays of the match.

    “Those were the plays of the game. Joe played great but I thought Scottie made the play of the game just because of the rebounds. They were all super clutch. If he hadn’t get those rebounds, Johnson would have scored an easy putback. He not only didn’t get the rebound but he denied the two-point easy putback."

    “I’ve never seen that kind of timing,” Cone added.

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      Thompson, who also had six points, said he simply took to heart Cone’s marching orders to be the aggressor in the match.

      “Every game, sinabi sa amin ni coach Tim na be the aggressor. Parati dapat sila ‘yung mag-react sa amin. ‘Yun ang ginagawa namin especially ako. Talagang ‘yun ‘yung ginawa ko para makatulong sa team,” said Thompson.

      On his rebounds, the high-flying guard said: “Tinalon ko lang ‘yung bola kasi ginusto ko ‘yung bola. Buti nakuha ko.”

      Thompson also had the tough task of shadowing James Yap in the series. The former Perpetual Help standout helped limit the two-time MVP to 10 points and intercepted the pass intended for Yap in ROS' final offensive play.

      “Unang-una, nasa utak ko Big Game James siya. Babantayan ko siya. Pressure pero at the same time, challenge kasi idol ko dati back then sa province. Ngayon, binabantayan ko na. Nakaka-overwhelm din,” Thompson said.

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      PHOTO: Jerome Ascano
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