Ginebra braces for tough stretch without Scottie

WITH the hoopla of the 2024 PBA All-Star Weekend now behind them, Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone said the Gin Kings are bracing for a tough stretch as the team plays three games in seven days starting this Easter Sunday versus longtime rival Magnolia Hotshots.

The most difficult part, he said, is going to battle in the Philippine Cup without ace playmaker Scottie Thompson, who is still out due to a back problem.

Cone admitted there is no definite timeline for the 30-year-old guard’s return.

Ginebra braces for tough stretch without Scottie

“I’m afraid the players aren’t getting much of a break. It’s a tough stretch for us, with Meralco, Magnolia and San Miguel in a row and no Scottie,” Cone told The Manila Times.

Ginebra got off to a 2-0 start after beating Rain or Shine and Phoenix before getting hammered by Meralco, 91-73, heading into the All-Star break.

Cone admitted the team is missing the presence of Thompson, whose overall impact goes beyond the statistical sheet.

Still, Cone has a vast array of backcourt men he can call upon, especially against the Hotshots, a guard-stacked squad led by Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon and Paul Lee.

Magnolia debuted the conference by tearing Converge to shreds, 106-75.

After the Hotshots, the Gin Kings take on the unbeaten San Miguel Beermen (2-0) on April 5 before clashing with the Juami Tiongson-led Terrafirma Dyip on April 7.

Thompson averaged 11.1 points, 7.6 assists and 6.3 rebounds for Ginebra in the Commissioner’s Cup, where the team got swept by sister team San Miguel in the semifinal series.