Scottie Thompson was there to lend a hand as Justin Brownlee struggled in the first half of Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
With Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee struggling early on in the match, the locals knew they had to step up.
Scottie Thompson answered the call as he acted as the sparkplug in Ginebra's 73-66 beating of TNT in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals Sunday, March 23.
Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone praised his ward after that.
“There’s so much that Scottie does that doesn’t show up on the scorecard. His impact is so much greater than that,” said Cone during the post-game presser at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
“You could see that more today than just about any time. He just inspired the whole team.”
There is no quitting in Scottie Thompson, Ginebra Gin Kings
Ginebra Gin Kings do-it-all guard Scottie Thompson is seen on the floor with TNT Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Thompson posted a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Gin Kings, who now inched closer to the trophy with a 3-2 series advantage.
The former Most Valuable Player was all over the court in the fourth period, where he scored six markers, grabbed four boards, and had two steals and a block.
“Just truly inspired lang in today’s championship (game). We all know it’s a grind-out game, possession by possession. We just don't want to quit every single game,” said Thompson, who also dished out five assists in the match.
[WATCH: Scottie Thompson ignites Ginebra's strong finish against TNT in Game 5 | PBA Highlights]
Bothered by his dislocated right thumb, Brownlee wound up with a measly two points in the first 24 minutes of action.
But he came alive in the second half, pouring 16 points there to finish with a team-high 18 points.
In true Justin Brownlee fashion, he showed up when it mattered most, scoring four points inside the final 2:19 that broke TNT’s morale.
The Tropang Giga just couldn’t connect after that, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Glenn Khobuntin, and RR Pogoy attempting from the four-point line in one sequence in the final moments.
Brownlee also submitted 14 rebounds, five assists and one steal.
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“We’re playing the first half in like second gear. They’re (TNT) playing in fourth gear. We knew at halftime we have to step it up and play at a higher gear to have a chance,” said Cone.
Meanwhile, Hollis-Jefferson paced TNT with 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
Rey Nambatac had the same scoring output in the losing cause.
The Scores:
GINEBRA 73 – Brownlee 18, Thompson 16, J.Aguilar 11, Ahanmisi 11, Rosario 6, Malonzo 6, Holt 3, Abarrientos 2, Tenorio 0.
TNT 66 – Hollis-Jefferson 19, Nambatac 19, Oftana 8, Pogoy 8, Aurin 8, Erram 4, Heruela 0, Williams 0, Exciminiano 0, Khobuntin 0.
Quarterscores: 17-24, 35-45, 57-56, 73-66.