SCOTTIE Thompson had for inspiration a fellow contender in winning the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award of the PBA.
The Barangay Ginebra guard didn't fail to acknowledge Rain or Shine's Gabe Norwood who he said 'has been playing the game the right way.
"Just following the footsteps ni kuya Gabe (Norwood) for playing the game the right way," said the 27-year-old Thompson Sunday during the PBA Awards Night.
"Sobrang happy and truly blessed all the time that were playing the game the right way."
In winning the award named after the soft spoken, legendary San Miguel Beerman who was the first ever recipient of the honor in 1993, Thompson broke the three-year stranglehold of Norwood, who won the title thrice in succession from 2017 to 2019.
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Likewise, Thompson became the first Barangay Ginebra player to be recipient of the award.
But the former University of Perpetual Help standout said any of the contenders is deserving to win, from Norwood to NLEX's Kevin Alas, CJ Perez of Terrafirma, and even Calvin Abueva of Phoenix.
"Lahat naman kaming naging nominee sobrang deserving," he said.
Thompson knows the value of winning the award especially having to play under a bubble set-up during the Philippine Cup last season where all of the 12 teams had to be away from their families for more than a month, or in the case of eventual champion Barangay Ginebra, had to stay for a total of 73 days in Clark, Pampanga.
"I think for me hindi madali itong Sportsmanship Award para makuha ko ito," added Thompson.
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The Sportsmanship Award is just the latest major honor Thompson received in his five-year pro career, which also include a Most Improved Player (2018), Second Mythical Team (2018), Finals MVP (2018 Commissioner's Cup), and All-Rookie Team (2016). (RG)
