SCOTTIE Thompson can attest to how RJ Abarrientos and Stephen Holt have provided a huge boost to Barangay Ginebra, which will play in the finals of the PBA Season 49’s opening conference – the Governors’ Cup.
Missing the championship round during the two conferences last season, the Gin Kings opened the new season by advancing to the finals in their first try and are set to face TNT for the crown starting on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
It’s easy to pinpoint Abarrientos and Holt as reasons for the Gin Kings’ rise since they are the newcomers of the team. Abarrientos was Ginebra’s No. 3 pick in the draft, acquired from Terrafirma in a deal that also included Holt, the Rookie of the Year last season.
READ: Holt hungry for a title after several heartbreaks in Europe
After the semifinals, Abarrientos is averaging 13.79 points, 2.74 rebounds, 3.26 assists, while Holt supplied 12.74 points, 5.68 rebounds, and 4.05 assists, and serving as a primary defender by the Gin Kings.
“Very big addition sa amin,” said Thompson. “They are one of the keys na nakuha namin itong panalo.”
“Si RJ, talagang parang beterano na maglaro talaga. We all know ‘yung experience niya sa international. Si Holt, he is a winner talaga. He will do everything kahit man ano ‘yan, ano ‘yung pinapagawa sa kanya, never nag-reklamo ‘yun. Talagang winning mentality. Ganda ng addition niya sa amin especially import stopper namin. Mapa-malaki man o size niya, talagang nandoon siya,” said the former PBA MVP added.
It also helped that Thompson is a lot healthier compared to last season.
Grounded by a back injury late last season, Thompson wasn’t in full strength during Barangay Ginebra’s semifinal campaign against Meralco in the 2024 Philippine Cup, leading to a seven-game defeat over the eventual champions.
Thompson registered 13.5 points, 7.67 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in the six-game series with San Miguel in the 2024 Governors’ Cup, an improvement from the 9.71 points, 7.57 rebounds, 3.71 assists, and 1.43 steals output during the seven-game affair against Meralco in the 2024 Philippine Cup.
“’Yun lang talaga ‘yung wish ko na maging healthy ako throughout this conference. As long as I’m healthy, nagagawa ko lahat ng preparation before game. Not just performance sa game, it’s all about preparation. Kapag healthy ako, nakakapag-prepare ako ng maayos sa game,” he said.
“It’s a total team effort. Credit sa mga teammates ko, sa coaching staff, sa ballboys namin na all-out sila na alagaan kami sa practice and sa mga PTs namin, sila ‘yung nag-aalaga sa amin kaya gumaganda ‘yung performance namin,” said Thompson.
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