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SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – Scottie Thompson has long established himself as one of the best rebounders in the PBA today, and he proved it once again in the 2020 Geneva PBA Philippine Cup semi-final battle against Meralco.
Sure, it was his series-hitting triple that turned the versatile 6-foot-1 guard into the spotlight Friday night. Still, that match was also another vivid display of his ability to drag boards with ease.
Thompson collected a total of 12 rebounds in a performance that also saw him rack up 20 points, seven assists and a steal in 38 minutes.
In five games in the semifinals, the former NCAA MVP hit 8.6 carom, just behind Japeth Aguilar’s 9.8.
Head coach Tim Cone has been managing Thompson since 2015. So far, however, he remains in awe of his prized point guard’s rebounding ability.
“The only kid that I really saw who could do that, I think he did it a little differently in his career, was Sonny Jaworski.
“I mean, as a point guard, I can dominate the boards like Scottie does.” he said.
“That is just one special ability that he has. He has a nose for the ball ”. added the only coach 22 times champion of the league.
And that ‘special ability’, according to Cone, is what makes it nearly impossible for other teams to prevent him from getting backboards.
“I know that all teams put a man on him to face him, but they still can’t do it. And we’ve been watching it for three years. Truly. We’ve been watching it for three years, and no one can pigeonhole it. “ he said.
“No one can defeat him in practice. No one. It is only his great will and desire. It is very difficult to maintain that focus, to face a guy who comes from there, from there, from there. ” the 62-year-old said.
“You don’t know where it comes from. He is amazing. It really is amazing. “
