Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone was in total awe upon learning that the Gin Kings’ 4-0 start in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup saw them spoken in the same breath with the ‘Living Legend’ himself, Robert Jaworski.
Per league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III, the last time the storied franchise started a conference 4-0 was in the 1986 Open Conference. Back then, the all-time great was still playing coach, and had Billy Ray Bates and Michael Hackett as imports.
That squad went on to win Ginebra’s first-ever championship.
“Wow! Those are big names,” Cone said after their 86-71 win over Phoenix Wednesday night. “Of course, The Big J and Billy Ray Bates, and Michael Hackett. It’s just nice to be mentioned with those names.
“Those are incredible names.”
Three decades is a long time to match such a feat. But for Cone, it is a testament to how challenging it is to string wins consecutively in the PBA — especially now, with the season in the bubble.
“It just goes to show how hard it is to get off to a 4-0 start in this league,” he said. “It takes a lot of mental toughness to put a winning streak together in this league. So hopefully, we can continue it.”
Ginebra now looks to extend its unbeaten run to five. It has the chance against long-time rivals Magnolia Hotshots on Sunday, Oct. 25, in this unique chapter of their stories Manila Clasico rivalry.
“It would be great to go out and get our fifth,” Cone said.
“That would be super. Especially in the Manila Clasico.”
