The return of former Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson had provided a big boost to the campaign of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the Commissioner’s Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Thompson was at his best at both ends, prompting the Kings to pull off a 110-96 win over Meralco to snap a two-game slide last Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
He delivered 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while providing the intangibles that the Kings lacked since he crashed with a knee injury in their game against Blackwater on 26 November.
More than that, he took charge in defending the Bolts’ high-scoring import, Zach Lofton, that gave the Kings the victory.
The 6-foot-4 Lofton averaged 42 points in their past two games, but with Thompson and Maverick Ahanmisi clogging his driving lanes, he was held to just 27 markers.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone was glad to see his star player back in action.
“He changes the way we play with all his hustle and desire, on both sides of the floor,” Cone said.
“Him and Mav were tag-teaming against the import (Zach Lofton) and they did a great job. Just the extra passing, ball movement and cutting, were infectious to everybody, so it makes a big, big difference when you get your leader on the floor and that’s Scottie.”
Thompson is just as excited to be back sooner than expected.
“I’m just happy and back to play and help the team get the W. But I’m still working on my game shape. But I’m just thankful to be back,” said Thompson, who missed the Kings last three matches.
“We just have to stick to our system, the things we’ve been doing in our practice. We went back to the basics and bought into the defense.”
With Thompson back in harness, the Kings stayed on track and improved their win-loss record to 5-3 to move up to fifth spot. They kept their hopes alive for the top four berth, which carries a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
“To me, this game against Meralco was a do-or-die game for us in terms of making it to the top four. Basically from here on, it’s going to be do-or-die games for us,” Cone said.
