Scottie Thompson and Barangay Ginebra faces a must win game 6 after suffering a tough loss to TNT in the pivotal Game 5 of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals, ending in a 99-72 score in front of a full crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
Despite the setback, the Gin Kings aren’t out of options; it’s now their chance to regroup and make adjustments, especially since the Tropang Giga finally found their rhythm after two straight losses over the weekend.
“Na-outplay nila kami. They came out really aggressive this game. That’s it,” said Thompson.
“Yung adjustment nila really worked for us, so it’s time for us na kami naman ang mag-adjust sa next game.”
Thompson, a former PBA MVP, was Ginebra’s most reliable shooter, scoring 13 of their 20 first-quarter points to keep them close early in the game. However, once TNT contained Thompson, no one else stepped up for Ginebra, allowing TNT to establish a 23-point lead by halftime and ultimately secure a 3-2 advantage in the series.
Even star player Justin Brownlee couldn’t prevent the blowout, as he recorded one of the roughest games of his PBA career, managing only eight points on 3-13 shooting from the field.
Thompson, however, didn’t blame Brownlee for the loss. Instead, he emphasized collective responsibility.
“I think it’s on us. We lose as a team, we win as a team. We played bad, lahat kami. Not just JB, I think all of us,” he explained.
“Lahat din sila sa TNT, maganda yung ginawa nila. We just have to stay positive for the next game.”
As Thompson and Ginebra prepare for Game 6 on Friday, they’ll face a familiar challenge they’d rather avoid. In the same conference last year, TNT also held a crucial 3-2 lead and eventually clinched the championship in Game 6.
But Thompson isn’t dwelling on the past.
“Let’s put away everything. We just have to focus on that game,” he said.
“Whatever the past is, especially this game tonight, we have to keep moving forward come the next game and stay positive. Yun lang.”
