By REYNALD MAGALLON
Scottie Thompson continued his splendid showing, leading Barangay Ginebra to a 98-84 demolition of Blackwater in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 18.
Like the way he helped Gilas Pilipinas sweep the recent fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Thompson put up impressive numbers – 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists – as the Gin Kings gave coach Tim Cone his 1000th win in the PBA.
Interestingly, Cone is one of the assistant coaches of Gilas that beat Jordan and Saudi Arabia with Thompson emerging as the most consistent performer for the team.
The win not only gave Cone another coaching career milestone but also boosted Ginebra’s chances of earning one of two twice-to-beat privileges after improving to a 6-2 record.
Import Justin Brownlee added 17 points, seven rebounds and four steals – one of which he recorded at the 9:21 mark of the third frame that allowed him to become the very first PBA import to reach 300 steals in league history.
Jeremiah Gray also had his best game for the Kings with 15 points while Jamie Malonzo and returning Christian Standhardinger added 13 and 10, respectively.
The Kings authored another signature third quarter breakaway led by Brownlee and Thompson who combined for 14 of Ginebra’s 23 points in the period while also limiting the Bossing to a measly 11 points.
It was all Kings from there as the lead even ballooned to as many as 22 points in the final frame.
Ato Ular led for Blackwater players in double-figures with his 18 points while Trevis Jackson added 12. Import Cameron Krutwig added a double-double of 11 points and 15 rebounds while Mike Ayonayon chipped in 10 – all of which went down the drain as the Bossing has now absorbed their fifth straight defeat for a 3-8 record at the 12th spot of the standings.
The scores:
GINEBRA 98 – Brownlee 17, Thompson 16, Gray 15, Malonzo 13, Standhardinger 10, Mariano 8, Pringle 7, J.Aguilar 5, Pessumal 3, Tenorio 2, Dillinger 2, Pinto 0, R.Aguilar 0, David 0.
BLACKWATER 84 – Ular 20, Jackson 14, Krutwig 11, Ayonayon 10, Banal 6, Suerte 6, Sena 6, Go 4, Dyke 4, Taha 3, Ebona 0, Melton 0.
Quarters: 27-22, 52-47, 75-58, 98-84