FROM one Ginebra great to another.
Scottie Thompson moved on the verge of becoming the PBA guard to reach 2,000 defensive rebounds the fastest over the last 42 years following Barangay Ginebra’s 85-73 win over TNT in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals on Friday night.
Thompson grabbed a total of five rebounds including four on the defensive end that gave him a total of 1,999 by the end of Game 3 of the best-of-seven title series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ Ginebra comes back to life on 'Undas' with Game 3 win over TNT
Another defensive rebound in Sunday’s game would make the former MVP the first guard to achieve the feat since Ginebra’s legendary playing-coach Robert Jaworski made it to the 2,000-defensive rebound club on July 6, 1982 in Toyota’s game against San Miguel.
The Big J accomplished the record in 381 games, while Thompson is expected to make his date with history on his 385th game.
Thompson, who finished with 15 points and four assists, said he wasn’t aware about his impending career milestone.
“Kung makuha man, truly blessed. Throughout my career, may mga ganoong milestones,” said the guard out of Perpetual Help after Ginebra finally broke through in the finals and cut the Tropang Giga’s lead to 2-1.
At the same time, Thompson said he’s grateful that he will be following in the footsteps of the 78-year-old Jaworski, acknowledged as the father of Ginebra’s never-say-die spirit.
“Sobrang blessed kung ganun kasi at the same time, nasa Ginebra (siya), tapos kung ako makakakuha, Ginebra pa rin,” he said. “Truly blessed and honored sa ganoong milestone.”
But more than the personal record, Thompson said he’s focused on helping the Kings get back in the series and regain the crown which the team lost to the Tropang Giga last year.
“Right now talagang focused ako sa finals kasi we’re still down. Sana makuha ko yun tapos makabalik kami sa series. I think that’s the best part para sa akin,” he said.
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