PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP and Barangay Ginebra star Scottie Thompson. PBA Images.MANILA — It took three years for Barangay Ginebra to hoist another PBA title, but it took even more for Scottie Thompson to reclaim championship glory.
The 10-year veteran played with a lump on his forehead during their semifinal series against the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters, battled left hamstring issues throughout the Finals against TNT Tropang 5G, and even suffered a cut under his left eye early in Game 7 on Wednesday.
For the beaten and bruised Thompson, however, overcoming those hurdles made his eighth PBA championship even sweeter, with his latest Finals MVP plum serving as the cherry on top.
READ: Gin Kings reign supreme over Tropang 5G, clinch Commissioner’s Cup crown
“Isa sa pinaka the best ‘to. Mababaon ko ‘to habang buhay, tapos in front of my kids,” said Thompson, who stamped his class with 19 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals with zero turnovers in Ginebra's 88-76 win over TNT.
Thompson actually struggled earlier in the series, averaging just 8.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. His numbers dipped even further in Game 6, where he managed only three points, eight rebounds, and five assists in their 90-98 loss.
The University of Perpetual Help product admitted that his hamstring issues played a huge factor, with Ginebra needing Justin Brownlee to do Justin Brownlee things, especially during Thompson's off nights.
But Thompson knew what was needed from him when it mattered most, which is why the one-time PBA MVP made sure to set the tone for Ginebra right from the opening tip in the decider.
PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP and Barangay Ginebra star Scottie Thompson. PBA Images.“Nag-blur yung paningin ko. Pero naging blessing, kasi nagising ako,” quipped Thompson, who scored seven early points after being hit by Kelly Williams.
Thompson now has three Finals MVPs to his name, but he admitted that he thought some of his teammates would end up taking home the award.
“Maraming teammates ko na maganda rin nilaro,” he said. “Nagulat ako kasi ang gusto ko lang makatulong sa team. Ang tagal na namin kasi hindi nakakuha ng championship.”
What Thompson has no problem embracing, however, is getting a little more beat up if it means Ginebra won't have to wait another three years for its next title.
“Ang daming bugbog sa series, so worth it. The more bukol, the more panalo,” he joked.