IT looks like Scottie Thompson is now on playoff mode after his sterling play in Game One of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Thompson was excellent across the board in the series opener, churning out 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals, and one block in Barangay Ginebra’s 100-92 win over Meralco.
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His scoring output is his best this conference after averaging 10.5 during the eliminations. Thompson also normed 5.42 rebounds, 6.83 assists, 1.58 assists, and 0.5 blocks.
Based on his numbers, Thompson focused on being a facilitator during the elimination round, notching assists numbers of 13, 11, and 10. On Wednesday, he went to work offensively, and his 23-point output was only the fifth time that Thompson breached the double-figure mark in scoring this conference.
“Basta playoffs lang, as a veteran, kailangan ko lang din maging ready and step up ‘yung mga elimination games and coming to the playoffs,” said Thompson after Game One.
“Overall naman, gusto ko maging aggressive on both ends – offense and defense. Nagkataon din talaga na nasu-shoot ‘yung mga tira ko. Credit din sa mga teammates ko na nahanap ako.
"We moved the ball well. I think four guys sa amin ang nasa double figures. I think malaking bagay sa amin ‘yun. Sign sa amin ‘yun na ‘yung bola gumagalaw sa offense,” said Thompson.
PBA TAKEAWAYS: Good ol' do-it-all Scottie shows up for playoffs
The contribution of the other guys is the reason why Thompson is deflecting most of the credit for the Game One win as his fellow veterans such as Justin Brownlee and Japeth Aguilar also were effective offensively.
Brownlee had 23 points and nine rebounds, while Aguilar had 19 points and nine rebounds against Meralco.
“Kailangan ko mag-step up during playoff time kasi alam naman natin kung gaano kahirap manalo sa playoffs. Every team, sobrang hirap kahit sino makatapat namin. I think not just me.
"‘Yung mga betereno, maganda nilaro kasi alam namin kung ano ang at stake sa game na ‘to at kung saan kami dadalhin sa finals. Ito ‘yung start,” said Thompson.
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