WATCH: Quick escape! Pampatanggal heartbreak!
Scottie Thompson was about the equalize the count with only a few ticks remaining in the winner-take-all match featuring Brgy. Ginebra and Meralco in the quarterfinal round of the PBA Season 47 Philippine Cup, Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The reigning league MVP, however, would be denied as the referee decided to call an offensive foul on him against Cliff Hodge which was also his 6th and last.
Thompson fouled out but left an indelible mark on the game with 26 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in almost 44 minutes of action.
The Gin Kings had one last chance to either equalize or win the match but Stanley Pringle fumbled on his last-gasp attempt to seal the team’s fate.
“Nakaka-frustrate para sa aking sarili. Pero hindi ko rin alam, eh. Wala akong masabi, breaks of the game,” said Thompson shortly after the crowd darlings’ last game of the conference.
“Siguro nga iba yung nakita ng referee sa nakita namin. It happens. Ganun talaga ang basketball,” he added.
The 29-year old product of University of Perpetual Help was utterly dismayed after Brgy. Ginebra fought back from a 21-point deficit and briefly took the lead only to lose it again and eventually fall short in the end.
“Masakit for us kasi binigay namin yung best namin and we fought hard para makabalik sa game. Pero kinulang. Ganun talaga siguro yung basketball,” said Thompson who readily admitted the they were to blame for allowing the Bolts to take a 78-57 advantage in the 3rd quarter.
“Yun ang mistake namin sa una. Down kami, I think by 21 points. Doon pa lang, pagkakamali na namin yun.”
