JINKY Thompson was holding back tears when it was announced that his husband Scottie won his third PBA Press Corps Finals MVP after the 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
“Emotional kasi off the court, hindi nakikita ng lahat, ako ang nakakakita nung struggle niya,” Jinky told SPIN.ph after Game 7 of the finals where Barangay Ginebra defeated TNT in a hard-fought championship showdown.
Scottie’s recent championship was not only a first for him after three years. It was also the first since he had a child, and Jinky admitted it has been a source of motivation for him.
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Their elder son Aster was still in Jinky’s womb when Barangay Ginebra captured the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup title. The Thompson couple now has three kids in Austin and Storm.
“Actually, si Scottie, pagod ‘yan during practice, minsan feeling down everytime na natatalo sa game. Ang unang-una niyang hina-hug, ‘yung mga kids para mawala daw ‘yung pagod niya at ma-encourage siya at mas mag-feel better siya,” said Jinky.
“Mas inspired daw siya ngayon kasi si Aster, nakakaintindi na and ‘yung last finals na nakuha natin ‘yung panalo, wala pa ‘yung kids. Nasa tiyan pa si Aster,” she added.
Scottie was actually playing with his kids when his name was called to receive the Ramon Fernandez Trophy given to the winners of the Finals MVP starting this season.
With his sons as an inspiration, Scottie was more determined to play his best even though, unknown to many, he was playing through injuries during the conference.
It was later revealed that Thompson was dealing with a hamstring injury that will sideline him for six weeks and will keep him out of Gilas Pilipinas in the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
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“Hindi man niya inaannounce pero naglalaro siya ng injured,” said Jinky. “For me, super super malaking bagay and super proud kasi blessing talaga ‘yung ginagawa talaga niya best niya para manalo.”
Through the challenges, Jinky also makes it a point to support his husband especially when he is busy during the season. Their faith also serves as their guidance.
“Alam naman lahat na God is in control. Siya ‘yung sovereign. Siya ang may alam ng lahat. Kung ano man ‘yung nangyayari, natatalo sa game, si Lord na ‘yan lahat. We just put our trust and faith in Him na kahit anong mangyari, we will still praise Him and glorify Him. Si God lang ‘yung center ng ups and downs. Si God talaga ‘yung nagbibigay ng strength sa kanya. Ako, instrument lang ako ni Lord. More on sa God talaga,” Jinky said.
“For me, bina-balance ko din na kapag nasa bahay si Scottie, [sasabihin ko], mag-rest ka lang, ako na muna bahala sa kids, sa negosyo, focus ka na lang muna,” she added.
The recent title victory for Thompson was the eighth for the former league MVP and no one is prouder than his wife.
“Hindi man siya maka-score, sa hustle, ‘yung puso niya talaga every game, sobrang saludo talaga ako sa kanya. More than the stats, ‘yung intangibles nakita ko talaga, ‘yung heart and soul talaga ng taong ‘yun, ‘yung No. 9, sobrang nakaka-proud."
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