Barangay Ginebra’s bid for back-to-back championships will begin with a different challenge—finding ways to win without one of the team’s most indispensable players.
Already preparing to navigate the early part of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup without resident import Justin Brownlee, the Gin Kings will also be missing Scottie Thompson after the star guard was ordered to undergo an extended recovery from a hamstring injury sustained during the Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
The setback leaves Ginebra without two of the biggest reasons behind its recent championship run, forcing the defending champions to rely on the depth of their local roster while both veterans work their way back to full health.
According to head coach Tim Cone, Thompson’s rehabilitation timeline has already been determined by the team’s medical staff.
“Doctor (George) Canlas has ordered for him to have a 6-8 weeks of rest,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
“So we’ll probably miss him for the first few weeks of the conference.”
The injury had already affected Thompson beyond the PBA season.
The reigning Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP was originally included in Gilas Pilipinas’ roster for the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers before eventually withdrawing because of the lingering hamstring issue. His absence opened the door for Converge rookie Juan Gomez de Liano to earn a spot on the national team.
Cone revealed that Thompson’s condition steadily worsened as the championship series against TNT Tropang 5G progressed.
“Scottie has a really, really bad hamstring that got worse as the series went on,” recalled Cone. “And after Game 7, it was really quite bad.”
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Scottie Thompson is your Finals MVP!!! #PBA50 #PBA50LID#PBA50CommsCupFinalsG7 pic.twitter.com/hfcnoBYJ6R
— PBA (@pbaconnect) June 17, 2026
Thompson’s absence comes at the same time Brownlee is also recovering from multiple injuries suffered during the Finals and his stint with Gilas Pilipinas.
The veteran import has been diagnosed with a hamstring strain, right peroneal tendinopathy, along with swelling and cartilage defects in his left knee. Despite nursing those injuries, Brownlee still suited up for the national team against New Zealand, helping push the Tall Blacks to a double-overtime contest before eventually sitting out the Philippines’ game against Australia to begin his recovery.
While Brownlee’s return remains uncertain because of the number of injuries he is managing, Cone believes Thompson’s trademark determination could help shorten his absence once he is medically cleared.
“But you know, Scottie, he’s a warrior and if he’s gonna find a way back, he’s gonna find a way back,” said Cone. “But we’re gonna really miss him.”
With the Governors’ Cup fast approaching, Ginebra now faces the task of defending its title without two of its biggest stars available from the opening tip. For a team accustomed to leaning on Brownlee’s leadership and Thompson’s relentless all-around play, the early weeks of the conference will test just how deep the Gin Kings truly are.
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