SCOTTIE Thompson had faced Myles Powell only once in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
But the Barangay Ginebra star would be the first to tell as well how difficult it is to keep up with the import of the Bay Area Dragons.
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“Hirap. Legit na NBA player yun, e,” said Thompson when asked how it was taking on defense the 6-foot-2 Powell.
The former Philadelphia 76er erupted for 12 of his team-high 29 points in the fourth quarter of Game Six as he kept the Dragons’ championship bid very much alive with a gutsy 87-84 win.
Thompson alternated with Nards Pinto guarding the 25-year-old Powell, although the reigning league MVP considered his Ginebra friend as the Kings’ best defender against the Bay Area import.
“I think the best defender naman kay Powell si Nards, e,” he said. “Puro tough shots yung na-shoot niya (Powell), pero good defense naman si Nards.”
“Pero tulung-tulong lang kami (sa depensa). Let’s see kung ano yung best game plan ng coaching staff namin.”
Thompson also welcomed the three-day break going to Game 7, admitting both teams needed a respite from the grueling title series that began on Christmas Day as fatigue and health issues begin to take its toll on the players.
“Ang pinaka-best yung pahinga. Even naman, Tabla lang. Nakapag-pahinga kami, Nakapag pahinga sila. So let’s see what happens in Game 7,” he said.
“We'll take it and i-enjoy namin ito (Game Seven).”