Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson in action against the Meralco Bolts. Photo from PBA ImagesMANILA — Scottie Thompson was all across the board in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals Game 1 win on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-1, Digos, Davao del Sur native posted 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals, and a block in their 100-92 victory, with this scoring output being his highest this conference.

“Basta playoffs laban sa Meralco, kailangan mo lang yung mag step up as a veteran,” commented the one-time league MVP on his performance against their modern-day rivals.

READ: Ginebra reasserts mastery of Meralco for 1-0 lead

But aside from rekindling their matchup with Meralco, what fueled his performance, said Scottie, was the familiarity that Ginebra has with them, especially since this is the 10th playoff series between the two squads.

“I think yung familiarity, and nagkataon na tuwing playoffs, nakakatapat namin sila,” shared Thompson. “We know grabe yung defensive schemes nila. Coming to this game, ang challenge sa amin is to battle their physicality.”

Thompson has been a part of all of those 10 faceoffs in the playoffs, with the first one even being his first title in the PBA, which is why he admits that Meralco brings out the best in him.

“As a veteran, kailangan ko ako yung mag-step-up kasi alam natin gaano kahirap na manalo dito sa playoffs every game,” he said.

“Nagkaka-amuyan na kami talaga. Medyo alam na namin yung tendencies ng isa’t isa. Nasa amin na lang kung paano kami mag execute especially against sa defense ng Meralco.”

Aside from the one-time NCAA MVP, what has been the key for the Gin Kings is how his other teammates are also elevating their games now that they are in playoff mode.

“Yun naman, yung adjustment naman lahat naman kami,” Thompson said. “Kaming mga beterano, alam namin kung ano yung stakes ng game na ‘to, kung saan kami dadalhin para makarating sa Finals. Ito yung start.”

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