During the latter part of the semis’ Game Two between the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the TNT Katropa on Wednesday night, coach Tim Cone was whistled for a technical foul. But it was for one of the most bizarre reasons: calling an excessive timeout.
The multi-titled mentor and the Gin Kings were given the timeout with 34 seconds left to play, with them down big 101-90. But since it was a technical foul, the Katropa were rewarded a free throw, which they failed to convert.
That break somehow helped the Barangay, as they were able to knock down two straight triples courtesy of guard Sol Mercado. But it did not translate to a win as they still bowed to TNT, 103-96, sending the semis to 1-1.
“Maybe that’s one of his ways of sending a message to his team,” opined Katropa head coach Nash Racela of the move made by the legendary tactician.
“But I don’t really know what happened there and what the objective was.”
He may have been left befuddled of Cone’s move, but the first-year pro coach is sold that it was a good tactic, as it helped Ginebra trim the gap. “That was a good timeout. Plus-three yun, kasi hindi namin na-shoot yung free throw.
“Coaches really do that,” he pointed out.
Asked if he too will do the same when the opportunity arises, the former FEU Tamaraws coach did not hesitate to say that he will.
“Yes,” said the 17-year tactician. “Especially if it’s a really close game, let’s say a one-point lead, and then maka-tres ka, then maka-shoot silang free throw, you get the advantage. Depende rin sa timeout, of course.”
And the mind games continue between the two storied franchises.
