In the last few years, the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings have had to rely on a cast of characters. Justin Brownlee led the Gin Kings to winning time on a number of occasions. RJ Abarrientos has provided Ginebra a glimpse of the future while also being a valuable contributor in the present. And then there’s Scottie Thompson. 

Game 4 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals was a critical contest for the Gin Kings, who were looking to avoid a 3-1 series deficit. The urgency was not lost on Thompson, who scored and assisted on 17 of Ginebra’s first 20 points in the game. It was a clear sign of things to come for the 2021 PBA MVP, who would finish with a triple-double and help in tying the series with the San Miguel Beermen. 

It’s not surprising that 35 points is a career-high for Thompson, but it is astonishing that he earned the first 30-point triple-double since 1990. He’s not the type to deliberately score a ton of points as it’s more often than not he will finish with 12 points than 21. But that doesn’t mean he’s not as effective as your usual volume scorer. 

Thompson’s highlights are not your typical guard highlights as in one play he’s skying for a rebound and a putback, while in another, he is working from the post before flicking a pass to an open shooter. Simply put, Thompson is involved in every play in any way possible. The versatility and reliability are what endeared the fifth overall pick in the 2015 PBA Draft to Gin Kings fans, who see their lead guard truly embodying the Never Say Die spirit that defines Ginebra. 

That Thompson has won an MVP award is an acknowledgement of his value as well and if not for June Mar Fajardo, the 32-year old could have had a few more trophies. But that may not matter for someone who would rather chase championships. This series with the Beermen will be defined by how much Thompson can contribute. In Game 4, his offense was needed and the various ways he was able to generate such caught SMB off guard. The succeeding games could ask him to defer and in turn, conserve his energy for when his number is called upon to take over. 

With the series now a virtual best-of-three affair, advantages from all corners will be very welcome. Every extra possession and second-chance opportunity will be valuable in a series between two of the most talented and winningest franchises of the PBA. A player like Scottie Thompson is thus a reliable asset not just because of his ability to create opportunities, but also because of his ability to be whatever the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings need him to be. And in a high-stakes affair, who can get the job done may be what matters the most.