SCOTTIE Thompson knows that he’s up for a very tough series when Barangay Ginebra takes on Rain or Shine in a best-of-seven semifinals clash at the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Thompson will have his hands full when he and RJ Abarrientos lead the Gin Kings' charge against the bevy of quick, tough and talented Elasto Painters backcourt led by the high-flying Adrian Nocum, sharpshooter Anton Asistio and an inspired Andrei Caracut, among others, in what’s expected to be a blockbuster series.
READ: By now, Tim Cone knows what to expect from a Yeng Guiao team
For the former PBA MVP who finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists to send Phoenix packing last Friday, cliche as it sounds, it all boils down to preparation.
“Rain or Shine is a very tough team. We need to prepare. It starts with practice. Ayun. Intay lang namin kung ano yung game plan ng coaching staff namin pero we need to prepare ahead,” Thompson said.
Behind their fiery backcourt, Rain or Shine has emerged as the top scoring team by a healthy margin this conference, dropping 112 a game in the 12-game elimination round. To no one's surprise, they also topped the fastbreak points department (24.8) and have forced the most number of turnovers (16.9) while ranking second in steals (8.9).
Nocum’s rise to superstardom also continued this conference, posting averages of 14.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals, and while they lost one of their best guards in Felix Lemetti to an ACL injury – Caracut has emerged capable of providing a lift on offense, dropping 29 points to close out San Miguel.
On the flipside, Ginebra boasts of probably the best backcourt tandem in the league in Thompson and Best Player of the Conference favorite Abarrientos who’s emerged as the Gin Kings’ undisputed go-to local this conference.
Abarrientos finished the eliminations with averages of 21.5 points, five assists and 3.5 rebounds while Thompson shrugged off a rough start to end up with solid all-around numbers of 12 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and two steals in nine games this conference.
But while the majority of the spotlight will certainly be on the guards, Thompson believes this series goes beyond the backcourt play.
“I think it’s [gonna be] tough for us guards defending them. We all know talaga kung gaano ka-talented yung guards nila,” Thompson shared.
“But it’s not about the guards, I think it’s all about the team. How we cover each other, how we’ll defend as a team. Ayun, we'll get better as a team defensively.”
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.
