DEON Thompson would rather focus on the next game than look back at the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals series opener that saw him foul out early in the second half.
Thompson admitted he was perplexed with a couple of fouls that he committed in Game One that led to his early absence in the eight-minute mark of the third quarter of Rain or Shine’s 100-92 defeat over Converge.
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The 36-year-old Thompson had 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists, and shot 6 of 11 from the field before fouling out after playing for 24 minutes and 46 seconds.
But even after the contentious fouls, Thompson also believes that he also has to do a better job of defending as his absence had a major implication to the result of Game One.
“There were some fouls that I don’t agree with,” said Thompson. “I don’t want to say anything disrespectful to the refs or anybody like that. So it’s my responsibility to play without fouling.”
“I feel like what I fouled out, that changed the whole game. I feel like if I stayed in the game, I don’t [think] the result is the same,” said Thompson.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao lamented the referees for the fouls that they called against Thompson, saying that it weren't playoff fouls. He even called the PBA to investigate the game officials.
Thompson, however, is moving on from Game One, and is now focused on bouncing back from that defeat and even the series on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Thompson lauded the play of the Rain or Shine locals which kept the game within a manageable distance only for Converge to take advantage of the Elasto Painters’ predicament.
“But it’s the best-of-three series and we have another opportunity on Friday,” said Thompson.
“They (locals) definitely fought to stay close. One thing that we’re gonna have to do and focus on Friday is to take care of the offensive rebounds. They did a great job of grabbing a lot of offensive rebounds even when we got stops,” said Thompson, referring to Converge’s 17-9 offensive rebound lead over Rain or Shine.
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