Scottie Thompson left frustrated as Ginebra takes beating
FILE–Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup in January. He sits out another game in the ongoing Philippine Cup due to injury. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra guard Scottie Thompson could only watch as Meralco decimated the Gin Kings in the PBA Philippine Cup, 91-73, at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
With a back problem in tow, Thompson was helpless as the Bolts dealt Ginebra its first loss of the conference after three games.
READ: PBA: Tim Cone irked over Ginebra’s ’embarrassing’ loss to Meralco
“First of all, I’m frustrated with myself because I couldn’t do anything, I couldn’t help. But it doesn’t mean that if I were there, we would’ve played better. I’m just frustrated because I was of no help to the team” said Thompson in Filipino.
In Thompson’s absence, Nards Pinto was assigned the role of starting point guard but was held to just a point in 21 minutes of action with six rebounds as a consolation.
Without the Gin Kings’ primary floor general, no Ginebra player had three or more assists.
READ: PBA: All-around effort helps Meralco crush Ginebra
Ginebra only tallied a total of 11 team assists without Thompson, who sustained the back injury during the first window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Things won’t get rosy for Ginebra’s front court anytime soon, though, as Thompson admitted that there’s still no assured date of a return in action for him.
“I have a target in mind to get back but so far there’s no target from the doctors. I’ve been here before. This has been my issue since college. I know the feeling of forcing myself to get back only for it (back) to get worse.”
FINAL: Meralco deals Barangay Ginebra its first defeat, 91-73, in the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Bolts now have a 2-3 record going into the All-Star break. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/F5gXw97uLW
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 15, 2024
“Based on my experience, I don’t want that to happen again because before I had to sit out for a year because of it.”
Thompson also shut down the idea of him playing for the league’s PBA All-Star weekend and plainly stated that he won’t be able to play in the yearly festivities.
The Gin Kings, though, will have plenty of time to recuperate before they face Magnolia on March 31, Sunday, at the same venue.
