Scottie Thompson braves through injured knee in Ginebra-Blackwater game

Scottie Thompson hurt his knee while securing a rebound in this play. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG—Ginebra fans either at the PhilSports Arena here or on their televisions and live streams were worried after seeing Scottie Thompson hurt his left knee in the second quarter of the Ginebra-Blackwater game on Sunday night.

Thompson banged his knee a bit after Bradwyn Guinto fell on him with 3:57 left in the said period, but the former PBA MVP still got to finish the quarter.

Thompson even started the third quarter and got a block on Rey Suerte's floater attempt before he sat out the remaining 5:14 of the said period.

Thompson was brought back at the start of the fourth period and played the entire quarter.

Thompson played for a little over 40 minutes of action in the Gin Kings' 90-87 win against the Bossing, but he admitted after the game that he felt some pain following the fall.

"Kanina, may na-feel ako, pero [nilaro] ko kasi ayokong ihinto agad kasi gusto kong mapakiramdam. Actually nung halftime, medyo sumasakit. All adrenaline lang talaga yung nangyari, kaya medyo nag-alalay din ako," said Thompson, who had a quiet seven points but also with three rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block.

He then confirmed that he is scheduled for an MRI test on Monday, but as of Sunday night, he said, "So far, sa tingin naman nila [physical therapists] nothing serious... Medyo hindi muna matupi. Baka maga pa or something."

Thompson's knee pain turned out to be an addition to the health concerns he was dealing with prior to the game as coach Tim Cone revealed earlier in the night that he had flu a few days back.

"He's been battling a bad flu [with] colds over the last week and a half, and he just can't shake it," Cone said, although he allayed fears and added that Thompson had tested negative for COVID-19 "multiple times."

Ginebra won't play again until next Sunday also at the PhilSports Arena against Terrafirma, so Thompson has a full week to rest his left knee.

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