Thompson just getting started

MANILA, Philippines — After a stellar outing in the recent PBA Governors’ Cup spiked by the Best Player and Finals MVP accolades, the sky’s the limit for Barangay Ginebra’s do-it-all young star Scottie Thompson.

“I think we’re just starting to see the start of Scottie’s career. He’s just going to get better from here,” Gin Kings coach Tim Cone said of Thompson, one of the vital cogs in the squad’s successful drive to its fourth Governors’ Cup plum.

Ably filling in the big shoes of injured ace Stanley Pringle, Thompson turned in averages of 17.83 points, eight rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.17 steals in 44 minutes of action per game in helping spark the team’s 4-2 conquest of Meralco.

This makes him a certified contender for the Season MVP honors and to some quarters, the new “face” of Ginebra after Mark Caguioa.

“Blessed ako na napag-uusapan ng ganon. Pero sobrang layo pa. Yung career ko nag-start pa lang. But thankful ako sa ganitong opportunity,” said Thompson.

For Cone, it’s not unlikely for the 28-year-old hard worker to take over the mantle.

“He’s young, he’s just won PBC and MVP of the series. He’s deserving that way,” he said.

“I don’t think anybody in the team is going to begrudge that because he is so well-liked, he works so hard…It’s the same with Mark Caguioa, he’s such a nice guy and his teammates love him,” he added.