Thompson free throws help Ginebra complete come-from-behind win over NLEX

Jane Bracher

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Thompson free throws help Ginebra complete come-from-behind win over NLEX
Barangay Ginebra displays its famous 'Never Say Die' attitude with a comeback victory from 22 points down versus NLEX in the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – For the first time since becoming head coach of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the PBA’s most popular ballclub, Tim Cone finally felt the famed “Never Say Die” attitude from his team.

The Gin Kings completed a thrilling comeback from 22 points down, leaning on rookie Earl Scottie Thompson’s game-winning free throws with 10.4 seconds left for the 91-90 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday, December 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“This is the first time I’ve seen that ‘Never Say Die’ and it’s really not created from the coaches, it’s not even created from the players. It’s really created from the fans,” Cone admitted after the game.

“You can’t help but get so pumped up when those fans get so crazy like that and you’re on a run. It’s the first time I’ve been on this side of it. We gotta give all our credit to our fans and take great pride in them helping us get back into the game.”

“They did the work tonight for us,” the PBA’s winningest coach added.

The former NCAA MVP’s free throws vindicated the Gin Kings’ massive fourth quarter rally as they overturned a 75-53 deficit with 3:22 left in the third period.

Ginebra tied the game several times late in the fourth – including the last instance at 87-all on a Joe Devance basket with over two minutes remaining – but only took the lead for the first and final time since that big lead on Thompson’s freebies.

Ginebra, which rose to 6-4 in the standings, dodged a bullet in the final play with 1.5 ticks left as NLEX’s prolific scorer Sean Anthony missed a wide open lay-up off the inbounds pass from Jonas Villanueva. It was a beautifully designed and well-executed play except for the muffed shot.

“In the last play we were lucky that Sean broke free and missed it. But he was wide open in that shot, that’s basketball,” Cone said.

Big man Greg Slaughter had a double-double for Ginebra of 18 points and 15 rebounds to go with 3 assists and 3 blocks. He also tallied 6 turnovers.

Japeth Aguilar added 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Chris Ellis chipped in 11 markers.

Despite the impressive come-from-behind win, a stroke of bad luck hit the Gin Kings as the night’s hero Thompson injured his shoulder with 2.1 seconds remaining and was unable to finish the game.

“He’s a prized possession for us. We’re going to make sure we take care of him and we’ll give him all the time he needs to recover,” said Cone, adding Thompson, who contributed 14 points (10 in the fourth), 5 rebounds and 3 assists, will undergo an MRI to have his shoulder checked. 

“We just don’t want to mess around with a young guy like that who’s got so much promise and potential.”

Not to be lost in Thompson’s heroics is Dave Marcelo’s 8-point fourth quarter contribution to finish with 10 points on 4-of-5 field goals.

“Actually I was very nervous when I was subbed in. It’s like if you commit one error you’d feel so down right away,” Marcelo admitted in Filipino. “But maybe because of that nervousness I was able to step up my game.”

Asi Taulava worked hard to keep NLEX afloat but fell short, registering 21 points and 7 rebounds. Anthony came up empty in the fourth quarter and finished with 16 markers along with 8 boards and 3 steals.

Jonas Villanueva, whose triple shoved the Road Warriors ahead 90-87 with 1:45 to go, had 11 points.

NLEX extended its losing skid to 4 and dropped to 4-6.

Scores

Ginebra (91): Slaughter 18, Thompson 14, Aguilar 12, Ellis 11, Marcelo 10, Tenorio 7, Devance 6, Helterbrand 5, Caguioa 4, Cruz 4, Mercado 0, Salva 0.

NLEX (90): Taulava 21, Anthony 16, Villanueva J. 11, Lanete 9, Alas 8, Camson 6, Enciso 6, Khobuntin 6, Borboran 5, Reyes 2, Villanueva E. 0.

Quarter scores: 22-22, 41-49, 75-59, 91-90

– Rappler.com

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