Scottie Thompson shone with a triple-double game to steer Ginebra to its third consecutive triumph in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup.
Scottie Thompson is finally getting his groove back in the best time possible for Brgy. Ginebra.
Thompson turned in a triple-double performance to power the Gin Kings' second-round reversal over Blackwater in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
After dealing with a nagging back injury, the former Most Valuable Player said that he only aims to stay healthy the rest of the conference.
[WATCH: Scottie Thompson produces triple-double game for Ginebra's vengeful win over Blackwater | PBA Highlights]
“Slowly getting back, ‘yun lang ‘yung gusto ko this conference. ‘Yung maging healthy ‘yung performance ko,” said Thompson.
"I’ve been working hard to be in full condition sa game shape ko. I know darating ‘yun. But the key for me right now is to be healthy throughout the whole conference," he also said.
Thompson was back doing what he did best, filling the stat sheet with a team-high 21 points he complemented with 10 rebounds and 11 assists to help Ginebra turn an 88-95 first-round loss to the Bossing to a 112-98 win this time.
[WATCH: Ginebra finds answer in Scottie Thompson to get back at Blackwater | PBA Highlights]
Despite his ward's explosive performance against Blackwater, Gin Kings coach Tim Cone said that Thompson is yet to be in his perfect shape. With that, the staff is proceeding with caution in terms of what Thompson could do in practice that might re-hurt his back.
“I think Scottie’s playing about maybe 85 percent, 90 percent by now. He’s not fully 100 percent, and we have to be careful of him during practice. We have to make sure we don’t wear him out and let his back flare up again. We are kind of handling him with kid gloves as much as we can," said Cone.
“We are trying our best, but he was just too important to what we do and how we do it," added Cone.
(With reports from Pao Ambat/One Sports)