Scottie Thompson had seen his numbers dip for Ginebra in the ongoing PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinals. But it all changed in Game 4 vs. Meralco.
All Scottie Thompson needed was some pep talk to snap out of his funk in the ongoing PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinal series between Ginebra and Meralco.
That pep talk came from no less than SMC sports director and Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua.
Thompson bared that he got a call from the team official on the eve of Game 4 of the race-to-four series on Friday, May 24.
“Yesterday morning bago practice, tinawagan ako ni Boss Al, aga-aga pagkagising ko. Kinausap niya 'ko,” he said.
“Talagang iba 'yung motivation na binibigay sa akin ni Boss Al. Ni-remind niya ako kung paano ako nagsimula. Ni-remind niya ako kung sino ako. Iba 'yung coming from Boss Al, 'yung words na binibigay niya sa akin.”
It paid dividends, as the former PBA MVP turned in 15 points and five rebounds as Ginebra levelled terms with Meralco with a convincing 90-71 win at the Mall of Asia Arena. It served as a breakout performance for Scottie this series, after shooting just 2/8 for five points in Game 1, 3/11 for six points in Game 2, and 2/13 for eight points in Game 3.
Thompson couldn’t help but feel elated to finally get his bearings going.
“Tapos iba 'yung feeling coming into this game na na-motivate ka ni Boss Al. Credit talaga kay Boss sa pag-boost ng confidence sa akin to show up today. Really needed that. 'Yun 'yung game-changer,” the do-it-all guard said as Ginebra tied Meralco at two games apiece.
What’s more important, though, is that the Gin Kings got back on the series after a two-game skid.
“Honestly sobrang happy lang ako na nakabalik kami sa series. I think it's a breakout na just for me, I think breakout game din sa amin as a team,” he said.
“Everybody contributed well. 'Yun lang 'yung gusto namin, makakuha ng spark in this series and ma-shake 'yung series kasi 'yung confidence nila very high, 'yung morale nila very high. Good thing natabla namin.”
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Thompson and Ginebra will have a chance to keep this good momentum rolling when they meet the Bolts anew for Game 5 on Sunday, May 26.
Match tips off at 6:15 p.m. at the same venue.