CROWD darling Barangay Ginebra finally ended its three-year losing agony against fierce rival Magnolia in a fitting fashion.
With 12,087 screaming fans in attendance at the Mall of Asia Arena for the latest chapter of the Manila Clasico series, the Gin Kings finally conquered their arch-nemesis by essaying a classic come-from-behind 103-97 victory midway through the eliminations of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last Sunday night.
Ginebra had plenty of heroes in the come-from-behind win, but it was Scottie Thompson who shone brightest for the Kings, reminding coach Tim Cone of the great Robert Jaworski, the acknowledged father and heart-and-soul of Ginebra’s never-say-die spirit.
The reigning MVP played with superb efficiency with 14 points on 50-percent shooting clip, four rebounds, six assists and a steal in 28 minutes of play as the Gin Kings got the better of the Hotshots for the first time since the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup.
For his superb effort, Thompson earned the nod as the Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for Oct. 19-23 as Ginebra (3-2) dealt Magnolia its first defeat in the tournament (5-1).
Thompson beat Rain or Shine rookie Gian Mamuyac and Converge’s Aljun Melecio for the weekly honor being given out by the men and women regularly covering the PBA beat.
The heroics of the Barangay Ginebra guard included a big basket in the last five minutes that capped Ginebra’s crucial run to snatch the lead at 95-93, before resident import Justin Brownlee put on the finishing touches heading home.
Thompson had key defensive efforts in the clutch against the formidable backcourt of Magnolia, earning him huge praises from Cone.
“I grew up watching Sonny Jaworski in the old Toyota days and early Ginebra days. I’ve never seen someone bring back a team like Sonny Jaworski except tonight when Scottie brought us back,” said an ecstatic Cone. “That was really Jaworski-like tonight.”
