With ‘amazing’ show in Game 3, Thompson continues to awe Cone

Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson (second from left) and Justin Brownlee mix it up with the Rauin or Shine duo of Adrian Nocum and Jaylen Johnson. —MARLO CUETO

Scottie Thompson once again proved why Barangay Ginebra continues to lean on him in big moments.

Thompson fired 25 points and sparked a decisive second-half turnaround as Ginebra defeated Rain or Shine, 103-98, on Sunday night to seize a 2-1 lead in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series at Mall of Asia Arena.

The veteran guard knocked down five three-pointers and added seven rebounds, two assists and three steals as the Gin Kings recovered from an eight-point halftime deficit and withstood a late Rain or Shine rally before a crowd of more than 13,000.

“There’s nobody better than a guy who comes out and does his job literally every game,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said of Thompson. “He does all the stuff that no one else wants to do. It’s amazing to watch day in and day out.”

Wednesday game

Justin Brownlee delivered 24 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, while RJ Abarrientos chipped in 17 points and five assists despite ditching a protective mask after suffering a nose injury earlier in the series.

Ginebra can move within a victory of another Finals appearance when the best-of-seven series resumes Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

And Thompson should play a key role in that match, too. Cone knows, having watched the do-it-all guard work hard even during practice.

“I’ve had the opportunity for 10 years to watch him do that every day, every game,” Cone said. “He just comes to work every day.”

“I tell you, he does it every practice, too. He comes out and he does his job. He does all the stuff that no one else wants to do. It’s just amazing to watch that day in and day out,” he added.

Thompson is averaging 19 points on 51-percent shooting while also contributing 6.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and one steal per game in the semifinals.

Rain or Shine looked poised to regain control of the series after a blistering start led by Andrei Caracut, who scored all 15 of his points in the opening quarter on five three-pointers.

‘Explosive diarrhea’

The Elasto Painters also welcomed back Caelan Tiongson, who saw action after battling what coach Yeng Guiao described as “explosive diarrhea.”

Tiongson and Jaylen Johnson scored 23 points each and helped Rain or Shine build an early cushion, but Ginebra gradually turned the game around behind Thompson’s outside shooting and Brownlee’s steady playmaking.

Tjompson orchestrated Ginebra’s rally in the third and, when Rain or Shine rallied late in the game, hit timely shots that sealed the victory. INQ