SCOTTIE Thompson finally showed the offense that Barangay Ginebra fans have been missing in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Thompson has just recovered from a back injury that bothered him even during last season’s Philippine Cup, and forced him to miss Gilas Pilipinas' campaign in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia.
In Ginebra's 119-91 win over NLEX on Tuesday, the former PBA MVP finished with 19 points - four more than he scored in Ginebra's first three games combined. He also shot 7-of-10 from the field, way better than his 6-of-26 clip in the first three games.
READ Incredible Holt leads resurgence of Ginebra guards
“Slowly getting better,” Thompson said. “Hindi naman excuse ‘yung injury ko dati na mabagal ‘yung transition sa pag-start ng conference. Sa sarili naman, wino-workout ko ‘yung mga aspects sa game ko, ‘yung pagiging healthy lagi.”
Thompson is hoping he has finally turned the corner after his performance in the NLEX game, but to sustain his good play the 31-year old said he needs to take care of his body and adjust his training regimen, especially in light of the league's six-days-a-week elims schedule.
“For now, sana maging healthy throughout the conference kasi ‘yung games ngayon, hindi biro. Talagang six times a week, mabilisan. Importante sa amin ‘yung recovery,” said the former Perpetual star.
“Talagang iniiba ko ‘yung routine ko. ‘Yung dating mas nakakapag-pukpok ako sa extra work, ngayon, nag-lie low doon, kailangan balance. ‘Yung sleep very important. Ngayon, crucial sa akin ‘yung sleep. Very important ‘yung tulog sa hapon, magwo-workout at makatulong ng maayos.” Thompson said.
Thompson isn’t the only one who was struggling in the early part of the conference. Stephen Holt, one of the newest players on the team, didn't snap out of a funk until Wednesday when he scored 26 points against NLEX.
The two-time Finals MVP has no doubt the team will eventually figure things out.
“Slowly coming back sa game, siyempre nangangapa pa kami as a team. I’m happy na as a team, nakaka-recover kami kasi marami ng bago sa amin pero kailangan, kaming mga veterans, kailangan namin i-head ‘yung mga newcomers. Hindi kami nagmamadali, as long as ginagawa namin ‘yung tama, ‘yung system ni coach Tim [Cone], dapat gawin namin as a team.
“Gusto naming makuha every game but we are thinking bigger picture, sa playoffs. Hopefully, pagdating doon, ‘yung chemistry, ‘yung pinapagawa ni coach, same page na kami,” said Thompson.
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