(PBA image)
More than three decades passed before another local player finally cracked the rare 30-point triple-double barrier in the PBA. When it happened again, there was little debate over who would own the moment.
Scottie Thompson delivered a performance for the history books, erupting for a career-high 35 points while adding 11 rebounds and 11 assists to power Barangay Ginebra to a rousing 105-91 victory over defending champion San Miguel Beer. The emphatic win in Game 4 knotted their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinal series at 2-2 and instantly etched Thompson’s name alongside some of the league’s most celebrated guards.
According to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon III, Thompson became the first local player in 33 years to post a 30-point triple-double, a feat last achieved by Johnny Abarrientos during the 1993 All-Filipino Conference. Even rarer, it marked the first time such numbers came in a winning effort since Ronnie Magsanoc’s masterclass for Shell back in 1990.
The performance capped a dominant stretch that made Thompson the runaway choice as the PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week for the January 4 to 11 period. The Gilas Pilipinas mainstay averaged 20.8 points on an efficient 56 percent shooting clip, along with 7.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists, edging out strong bids from San Miguel’s Don Trollano and TNT Tropang Giga standouts Calvin Oftana and Poy Erram.
True to form, Thompson was quick to share the spotlight after the game, pointing to the collective effort behind Ginebra’s resurgence.
He said the team battled through every quarter and credited their defensive rhythm and togetherness for the breakthrough, adding that the win mattered more to him than the individual numbers.
Head coach Tim Cone had no hesitation calling it a night to remember.
Cone described the outing as a legendary performance, noting Thompson’s increased aggression and how it opened up the floor for his teammates. He added that the guard’s humility only made the achievement more special, likening his quiet leadership to that of June Mar Fajardo.
In a league rich with iconic moments, Thompson’s triple-double masterpiece now stands as a modern benchmark — a reminder that history, sometimes, waits for the perfect night and the right player to arrive.