Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Scottie Thompson is called Finals MVP after helping Ginebra win the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Scottie Thompson was in disbelief when he heard his name being called because the PBA Press Corps Finals MVP that made him the second recipient of the Ramon Fernandez Trophy.
“Wala talaga sa utak ko (I wasn’t even desirous about it),” Thompson said after his integral role in Barangay Ginebra’s successful run to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown.
Ginebra annexed its first championship in three years following Wednesday’s 88-76 Game 7 win over TNT, with Thompson putting up 19 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals to reply the challenge of providing ample help for Justin Brownlee.
End of struggles
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings have a good time after beating TNT Tropang 5G and winning the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Thompson was among the many locals that struggled prior to Game 7, but his big-time performance within the battle for all of the marbles convinced most Press Corps members of his worthiness as Finals MVP for the third time in his profession.
“I just really desired to get this championship,” said Thompson, who also described this PBA crown as the toughest to win of all. “That’s why I used to be very emotional because I do know my struggles on this series.”
Together with Troy Rosario and even Nards Pinto, Thompson was amongst those backing up one other huge showing from Brownlee in the course of the deciding game witnessed by greater than 24,000 fans on the Mall of Asia Arena.
“We talked as a team as to how we could help Justin, what he has done in the course of the previous two games shouldn’t be sustainable,” added Thompson, referring to the 54 and 52 points scored by the beloved Ginebra import in Games 5 and 6, respectively.
“Everyone knows that he can carry the team, but as a neighborhood, we’d like to offer the needed support, not only in scoring but additionally the little things.”
Some Ginebra fans felt that Rosario had a stronger case over Thompson within the Finals MVP discussion for his consistency and hard-nosed play, particularly against TNT’s Chris McCullough.
Rosario got here through again in Game 7, ending with 13 points and 7 rebounds to secure just his second PBA title. Rosario’s first one got here five years ago with TNT within the Philippine Cup.
For Rosario, the championship felt much more special.
“I used to be capable of fulfill my childhood dream,” Rosario said. “I remember after I was 8 years old after I began to turn into a fan of Ginebra.”
Unsung hero
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Nards Pinto reacts after scoring an enormous 3 in Game 7 of the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Then, there’s one other unsung hero in Pinto, who other than his stifling defense pumped in two huge threes in the course of the fourth quarter that doused cold water on TNT’s persistent comeback tries.
Pinto’s second triple, which got here from the left corner, made it 80-74 with barely three minutes to go, prompting an enormous cheer from the gang.
Coach Tim Cone had trusted Pinto to offer some quality minutes dating back from the early goings of the conference. The now-three-time champion was glad to repay his trust.
“Our morale was really down after we went to the dugout at halftime,” said Pinto after Ginebra trailed 47-40 on the break. “But we kept on fighting and it’s an excellent feeling that we won since it’s been some time.”