ON Sunday evening, Scottie Thompson came up with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings.
The numbers that Thompson produced came as teammate Justin Brownlee struggled with his hand injury this time around.
Brownlee had 18 points, but he needed some backup in the final stretch of the game. And with Thompson’s contribution, the Gin Kings stopped the TNT Tropang Giga, 73-66, on Sunday.
The win gave the Gin Kings a 3-2 lead after Game 5 of the 49th Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup when action ended at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“There’s so much that Scottie does that doesn’t show up on the scorecard. His impact is so much greater than that,” said Gin Kings’ coach Tim Cone.
The Gin Kings are closer to the crown with their series advantage.
In the fourth period, Thompson knocked in six crucial points, 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.
The Gin Kings were behind, 65-66, in the last 4:06 when Thompson’s pair of jumpers pushed Ginebra ahead, 69-66.
They could claim the Commissioner’s Cup if the Gin Kings win again in Game 6 on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.