By REYNALD MAGALLON
Barangay Ginebra star guard Scottie Thompson offered no excuses and praised Meralco, which clinched its first ever Philippine Cup finals at the expense of his Kings following a 78-69 outcome in the deciding Game 7 of their semifinals series.
Thompson tipped his hat off to the Bolts, noting that they were simply the better team in this chapter of their storied rivalry and are very much deserving of the shot to challenge the defending champion San Miguel Beermen in the finals.
“They deserved na makarating sa Finals. Para sa kanila talaga,” said Thompson after emerging from the dugout of the FPJ Arena in Batangas City, obviously in low morale as the Kings actually blew off a 3-2 series lead.
Meralco has now won two-straight playoff series against Ginebra although the Game 7 win came much sweeter as it ended a record of futility that saw the Bolts lost four best-of-seven series against the Kings including two in the Governor’s Cup finals.
The loss also ended a long record of Game 7 wins for Ginebra head coach Tim Cone who last tasted defeat in such deciding contests way back in 2012 when he was still with B-Meg.
Thompson and the Kings though did their part as they led by as many as 11 points in the first half in a rare hot start for Ginebra.
A huge second quarter drought however spelled doom for the Kings as they struggled to break down the Bolts defensive stand which at several occasions forced them to multiple 24-second shot clock violations.
The one-time MVP also showed up and put together his best performance in the series with 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to no avail as Ginebra also failed to contain Chris Banchero and Chris Newsome who finished with 24 and 20 points respectively.
