BARANGAY Ginebra played with determination and purpose in a rematch with Blackwater Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, striking back and sustaining its climb in the PBA Governors Cup leader board.
Scottie Thompson delivered a triple-double game and Stephen Holt led a superb defensive effort on George King as the Gin Kings exacted revenge versus the Bossing, 112-98, and gained solo second in Group B with a 4-2 win-loss card.
Their three-game romp halted, the Bossing, meanwhile, dropped to fifth at 3-4, behind Rain or Shine (5-1), Ginebra, San Miguel Beer (3-2) and NLEX (3-3).
"I think we needed to kind of have an attitude change and come out with a higher level of intensity because they've proven to be a strong team," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
And they did.
Stunned by King's 33-point and 19-rebound PBA debut, the Kings made a conscious effort to neutralize him this time, with Holt taking a big part of the job.
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King poured in 19 in the first half but was held to just two in the second half, and it spelled doom for Blackwater.
Thompson was a workhorse, doing damage on both ends and gaining Best Player of the Game honors with a 21-10-11 statsline.
"I'm slowly getting back, at yun lang ang gusto kong ma-achieve this conference, maging healthy uli. Alam ko naman dadating iyun," said Thompson, back from an injury that sidelined him in the last Philippine Cup.
"Overall, we have to get better. Ako naman, I also have to serve as role model for our younger players. Dapat maging modelo in the game and in practice for the young guys to buy in doon sa kung ano ang ginagawa namin," Thompson also said.
He played that role and more as he led the team to a third straight win after earlier triumphs over NLEX and Phoenix Super LPG.
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Justin Brownlee narrowly missed a double-double with 20 points and nine rebounds as RJ Abarrientos chipped in 15 points with a four-pointer and a triple while Holt and Japeth Aguilar tossed in 14 apiece.
King was held to 21 on 7-of-14 field clip.(SB)
