PBA: Scottie Thompson hits buzzer-beater as Ginebra rallies to beat Magnolia in Christmas 'Clasico'

Justin Brownlee came alive in the second half to lead Ginebra's comeback. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--On a night he was acknowledged for his playmaking skills, Scottie Thompson showed he can score clutch shots too.

Thompson capped a milestone moment for him with the game-winner as Ginebra rallied from 22 points down to beat Magnolia, 95-92, in the first Manila Clasico of the 2024-2025 PBA season right on Christmas night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With 12,198 fans spending their holiday watching the latest chapter in the bigtime rivalry between the sister teams, Thompson, who was earlier named the newest member of the PBA's 2,000 Assists Club, hit a left corner three right at the final buzzer off an RJ Abarrientos feed that broke a 92-all tie to complete the Gin Kings' comeback.

Thompson's triple spoiled the heroics of Rome Dela Rosa, who thought he may have just forced overtime for the Hotshots with an open layup with 22.9 seconds to play.

However, after circling the ball around Abarrientos and Justin Brownlee, Abarrientos found Thompson open from the same area where he hit a previous game-winner against San Miguel to shoot the deciding basket.

Brownlee and Abarrientos both came alive in the second half and finished with 28 and 20 points, respectively, for the Gin Kings, who capped a tough yearend stretch of six games in 15 nights with a 4-2 record to start the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

Ricardo Ratliffe put up 17 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists for the Hotshots, who dropped to 2-5 as they fell once again to another endgame collapse.

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