Scottie Thompson is ready to take on a bigger role for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel after being named as the Most Valuable Player of the PBA’s 46th season.
Thompson said that getting the coveted award for the first time in his career comes with greater responsibility as the expectations have been raised higher going into Season 47.
“After nitong award na ito, I think kailangan ko mas maging mature para sa team kasi siyempre kailangan ko rin ma-lead yung team,” Thompson told reporters after the Leo Awards held Sunday, June 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Malaking panghahawakan tong nakuha ko, especially yung expectation ng team, ng mga fans, and of course, ng management. Mahirap, but I’m up sa challenge,” added Thompson, who beat TNT’s Mikey Williams for the award.
Many see Thompson stepping up as one of Ginebra’s main leaders, especially with Mark Caguioa and Joe Devance announcing their retirement.
Though there’s still reluctance to accept that mantle, it may take a matter of time before Thompson can be one of those who the team will trust for leadership.
The 28-year-old garnered 2,836 points compiled from statistics and votes to become the fourth Ginebra player to take home the MVP trophy.
He was the last among the four MVP candidates in statistics with 951 but got the nod of the players (259), media (1,327) and the PBA Commissioner’s Office (300).
Williams placed second with 1,332 points (1011 stats, 97 players, 74 media and 150 PBA) while NorthPort’s Robert Bolick had 1,295 points for third and Magnolia’s Calvin Abueva was last at 1,066 points.
His performance in Ginebra’s title run in the Governors’ Cup obviously had a big effect in Thompson’s ascension to the MVP.
During the campaign, Thompson produced all-around games when needed as Ginebra overcame being the sixth seed going into the playoffs to win a fourth title in the last five editions of the Governors’ Cup.