Scottie triple-double sparks Ginebra's series-tying win over SMB

January 12 ------ SCOTTIE Thompson came up with a triple double to lead Barangay Ginebra to a 105-91 win over San Miguel and forge a 2-2 deadlock in their PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup semifinal series at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Thompson put together the PBA's first 30-point triple double in 33 years, rescuing the Gin Kings after a flat start that saw them trail by as many as 16 points in the first quarter to equalize the best-of-seven semifinal series at 2-2.

Thompson finished with a career-high 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists as Ginebra avoided falling into a 1-3 hole heading to Game 5 on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. "It was a legendary performance," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone on the effort of Thompson. Johnny Abarrientos, who is now Barangay Ginebra's assistant coach, was the last PBA player to register a 30-point triple double when he had 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 14 assists in Alaska’s 115-103 win over Swift in the 1993 All-Filipino Conference. Thompson also fueled a 12-3 run that got Ginebra the lead for good, 91-83, after trailing, 36-26, against a Beermen side that shot 9-of-13 from three-point range in the first quarter.

Ginebra got back to the ballgame by outscoring San Miguel, 30-19, in the second quarter. Japeth Aguilar had 14 points and six rebounds, while Norbert Torres added 13 points while going 3-of-8 from three-point range. Cjay Perez had 22 points for the Beermen, but June Mar Fajardo was limited to nine points although he grabbed 20 rebounds in the loss.

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 105 – Thompson 35, J. Aguilar 14, Torres 13, David 12, Abarrientos 11, Cu 7, Rosario 6, Holt 4, Pinto 3, R. Aguilar 0.

San Miguel 91 – Perez 22, Ross 20, Cruz 15, Fajardo 9, Trollano 8, Brondial 7, Tautuaa 5, Cahilig 3, Rosales 2, Lassiter 0, Tiongson 0, Teng 0.

Quarters: 26-36; 56-55; 72-75; 105-91.

Source: spin.ph