Scottie Thompson sank the game-winner to propel Barangay Ginebra to the PBA Philippine Cup finals after a nail-biting 83-80 win over Meralco at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga on Friday, November 27.

Thompson capped a brilliant outing that saw him flirt with a triple-double with a corner trey with a sixth of a second left as the Gin Kings escaped the do-or-die duel to reach the All-Filipino finals for the first time since 2017.

A Reynel Hugnatan three-pointer knotted the score for the Bolts at 80-80 with 14.5 seconds remaining but Thompson – who finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists – answered with his own long bomb for the win.

Meralco anticipated Stanley Pringle to take the last shot for Ginebra but he passed the ball to Prince Caperal, who then assisted on the Thompson triple.

With no timeouts left, the Bolts witnessed Chris Newsome hurl a full-court shot which ultimately missed.

“Scottie deserves that shot. He deserves all the recognition, all the laurels. He deserves it because there is nobody who works harder than him,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.

Ginebra will fight for the All-Filipino crown against TNT Tropang Giga, who also disposed of Phoenix in a winner-take-all Game 5.

Aside from hitting the game-winner, Thompson – who unloaded 10 fourth-quarter points – played a crucial role in their comeback when Meralco took a 71-65 lead off a personal 6-0 run from Bong Quinto.

Thompson sank a layup to cut the Ginebra deficit to a whisker, 72-73, and scored on a putback for a 76-73 lead.

He then fished the final foul of Allein Maliksi and eventually hit the two free throws that gave the Gin Kings a 78-75 edge with a minute left.

Pringle topscored in the win with 22 points on top of 8 rebounds and LA Tenorio chalked up 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

Japeth Aguilar had 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block for Ginebra, which will face TNT in a best-of-seven championship series starting on Sunday, November 29.

With the loss, the Bolts failed to get the monkey off their backs as they fell short of snapping their playoff series skid against the Gin Kings.

Meralco met Ginebra 5 times in the playoffs and lost in all occasions.

Newsome led the Bolts with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, Hodge had 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Quinto put up 14 points.

Hugnatan and Maliksi chipped in 12 points apiece in the loss.

The Scores

Barangay Ginebra 83 – Pringle 22, Thompson 20, Tenorio 14, Aguilar 12, Caperal 5, Mariano 5, Devance 2, Dillinger 3, Tolentino 0, Chan 0.

Meralco 80 – Newsome 15, Hodge 14, Quinto 14, Maliksi 12, Hugnatan 12, Jackson 4, Almazan 4, Amer 3, Black 2, Jamito 0, Pinto 0.

Quarters: 17-14, 33-31, 55-59, 83-80.

– Rappler.com