Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Scottie Thompson said his PBA Governors’ Cup Best Player of the Conference award is a testament that even a role player like himself can win one of the league’s highest individual honors.

Thompson claimed the biggest accomplishment of his career when he was heralded as the best player of the season-ending conference after being of the primary roles in the Gin Kings’ current run that came despite placing sixth in the eliminations.
Getting the BPC is something special as far as Thompson is concerned since the award is oftentimes given to those known for producing high-scoring numbers.
“We all know that hindi naman ako talagang scorer so nagulat ako kasi pwede pala makakuha ng ganitong award yung mga role player,” he said after Ginebra tied the Governors’ Cup Finals with Meralco at 2-2 with a 95-84 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
What made it more special was the way Ginebra responded from a four-game skid midway in the eliminations with a late surge followed by a big quarterfinal win over twice-to-beat TNT.
He also had to increase his role with the Gin Kings missing Stanley Pringle early in the conference and Japeth Aguilar during the semis and the first three games of the title series due to injuries.
“Through hard work lang kaya siguro nag-payoff,” he said. “Kaya nakakagulat kasi up and down yung season namin so nagstep-up lang din lahat especially ako personally.
“Yung mentality namin as a team next man up so ayun nagstep-up din ako kasi sobrang daming injured sa amin,” added the six-year pro.
Thompson followed up his coronation with a 27-point performance that tied his career-high as Ginebra turned the series into a best-of-three.