Trillo says Meralco can't take credit for Scottie's scoring woes

Trillo says Meralco can't take credit for Scottie's scoring woes

BARANGAY Ginebra star Scottie Thompson offered no excuses to the slump he is in during the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup playoffs.

Thompson remained in a funk even if his numbers slightly improved in Game Three, where he had eight points and nine rebounds in Ginebra’s 87-80 defeat against Meralco at the City of Dasmarinas Arena.

Still, Thompson only shot 2-of-13 from the field in Game Three, bringing his shooting numbers for the entire playoffs that includes their quarterfinal game against Magnolia Chicken Timplados to just 11-of-45 (24 percent).

'It's for me to keep fighting'

"Talagang they defended well, scouted well," said Thompson, when asked about the dip in his numbers. "It is up for us and for me to keep fighting. Mahaba pa ‘yung series."

Meralco coach Luigi Trillo, however, said they can’t take all the credit for Thompson’s struggles this series, admitting that even he is unsure why the former PBA MVP hasn’t delivered his usual ways.

"I don’t know," said Trillo on what Meralco is doing right in limiting Thompson. "We know that Scottie is coming off an injury."

Trillo was referring to the back injury that sidelined Thompson for the first six games of the Philippine Cup eliminations including their March 15 game against Meralco which the Gin Kings lost, 91-73.

"I don’t know if he is supposed to come back. For him to play, he seems na he is able to move. We don’t know. We don’t want to judge," said Trillo.

Bolts expecting Thompson explosion soon

Despite a couple of off-nights for the Ginebra star, the Bolts are bracing for a Thompson explosion which could come when the series resumes on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

"We know what he is capable of," said Trillo. "Probably, the best guard in our league. Malaki ‘yung respeto namin sa kanya. But we need to keep him in check."

"We know he is a very good defender. In pick and rolls, we know when he gets the ball, he tries to create for everybody on the weak side. Whatever game plan and whatever we are trying to give and what we are trying to take away, dapat i-double namin," said Trillo.

Trillo noticed Meralco still has a lot of defending to do against Thompson after he got several scoring opportunities in the first half.

scottie thompson meralco ginebra

PHOTO: PBA Images

"Scottie is the type, you saw him in the first half, he got to the basket a couple of times. We have to do better in taking way the strength of his. Alam namin ang kakayahan niya. We have to be ready," said Trillo.

For Thompson, he is keeping a positive attitude despite his playoff struggles.

"Let’s see what we can do sa Game Four. Positive lang coming into that game. Positive lang. Credit din sa Meralco, maganda ‘yung adjustment nila. They came up with a game plan," said the 30-year-old Thompson.