THANKS but no thanks.
Scottie Thompson is grateful that he and rookie teammate RJ Abarrientos are being referred to as Barangay Ginebra’s new version of the ‘Fast and Furious.’
But he said there’s only one edition of the celebrated duo and none follows after them, not even a 2.0 adaptation or recreation.
Retired MVPs Mark Caguioa and JayJay Helterbrand created that famed run-and-gun act for Ginebra that netted the franchise six championships during their time together as the top backcourt partner of the team.
“Para sa akin, hindi mo kayang basta-basta palitan yung ‘Fast and Furious.’ Kung maganda yung ginagawa namin ni RJ, malayo dun sa Mark Caguioa and JayJay Helterbrand,” said Thompson.
He was asked about the comparison shortly after University of Perpetual Help’s NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball game against Arellano. Thompson serves as team manager of the Altas, who unfortunately lost the game, 66-59.
Thompson said no one can be compared to what Caguioa and Helterbrand did when they still served as faces of the franchise.
“Alam naman natin na yung dalawang kuya ko na yun irreplaceable,” stressed the 31-year-old popular alumnus of Perpetual Help.
The pair of Thompson, the Season 46 MVP, and Abarrientos, the rising rookie guard from Far Eastern University, have been playing beautiful music together in their short time together manning the backcourt for Ginebra.
READ: Scottie praises RJ, Holt for giving Ginebra a shot in the arm
The two did a highlight reel play during Game 6 of the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals against San Miguel when a Justine Brownlee shot block on Marcio Lassiter opened the door for a transition play between Thompson and Abarrientos.
With CJ Perez hounding him, a running Thompson gave a bounce pass to Abarrientos, who then quickly whipped the ball back to the veteran guard for the easy one-hander layup, and a 97-92 lead for the Kings with 3:52 remaining.
The two was later seen extending high-fives to each other as the Beermen sued for a timeout in the din of Ginebra fans’ celebration.
The Kings won the match, 102-99, and the series, 4-2, to advance in the finals against TNT Tropang Giga.
“I think kung meron man kaming magandang samahan ngayon sa court ni RJ, I think good thing para sa amin (Kings) yun,” said Thompson of his partnership with the 25-year-old rookie.
And if ever, Thompson hopes the connection between him and Abarrientos will give them an identity of its own.
‘Of course, sana magkaroon kami ng sariling duo,” he said.
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