Scottie Thompson inches closer to rebounding feat, but focus remains on finals
MANILA, Philippines – Scottie Thompson’s rebounding prowess will soon put him in legendary company.
Thompson is set to become the second-fastest guard to record 2,000 defensive rebounds in PBA history after the great Robert Jaworski Sr. following a steady performance for Barangay Ginebra in Game 3 of the Governors’ Cup finals.
According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon, Thompson reached 1,999 defensive rebounds on Friday, November 1, as the Gin Kings beat defending champion TNT, 85-73, to cut their deficit in the best-of-seven duel to 1-2.
Thompson hauled down 4 of his 5 total rebounds on the defensive end, merely falling short of the milestone in his 384th game.
Jaworski, meanwhile, accomplished the feat in his 381st game when he still played for Toyota in a match against San Miguel in 1982 — two years before he joined Ginebra and helped turn it into the most popular team in the league.
“I’m blessed because he is from Ginebra, and if I get it, it is from Ginebra again. I’m truly blessed and honored of the milestone,” said Thompson in Filipino.
Thompson is poised to become the 64th player to be part of the club and eighth to do it in a Ginebra uniform, which includes teammates Justin Brownlee and Japeth Aguilar.
But the former league MVP has his mind on more important things as the Gin Kings hope to tie the series in their bid to recapture the Governors’ Cup crown they clinched in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2021.
Ginebra seemed to have found the right mix against the Tropang Giga after losing the first two games by an average of 14 points.
“I’m focused on the finals because we’re still down. I hope I get the [milestone] and we get back in the series. I think that is the best part for me,” said Thompson.
Thompson may get both of his wishes in Game 4 on Sunday, November 3, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com