Ginebra San Miguel head coach Tim Cone took the blame and apologized for failing to defend their PBA Philippine Cup title.
The decorated mentor took to Twitter to say as much just a day after the Gin Kings were shown the door by the top-seed TNT through a 71-84 decision. They lost to the same team it beat to rule the Clark bubble last year.
“I can’t find the words to express our sorrow and embarrassment over our performance in the bubble,” he wrote. “We didn’t live up to the Ginebra legacy, and that was totally my fault.
“I apologize to the Ginebra nation.”
Hopes were high for the league’s most popular team entering the 46th season. They went higher when it welcomed Christian Standhardinger following a blockbuster trade with NorthPort in exchange for Greg Slaughter.
Photo by PBA Images
Many then felt excited to see how a Ginebra frontcourt featuring the Filipino-German bruiser and Japeth Aguilar would fare, given the familiarity they’ve had after playing together a few times with Gilas Pilipinas.
His arrival undeniably made the Barangay look more formidable. Standhardinger added to the star power of a team that also has LA Tenorio, Stanley Pringle, and Scottie Thompson – all of whom were key in their success last year.
However, some things are beyond their control, particularly injuries. The team entered the 2021 Philippine Cup without vital piece Aljon Mariano, who underwent two surgeries to get rid of the bone spurs on his foot.
Former league MVP Mark Caguiao and Art Dela Cruz were out as well, while veteran forward Joe Devance was fighting through knee problems.
Photo by PBA Images
Mariano and Devance were able to return for the season resumption in the Pampanga semi-bubble, though. Unfortunately, it was the 6-foot-9 Aguilar who got hurt afterward as he sprained his MCL against TNT last Sept. 12.
To make matters worse, the team also lost Thompson at the tail end of the elimination round. The player had to undergo health and safety protocols.
Photo by PBA Images
So with all those problems, Cone did not have much opportunity to fine-tune his crew. By the end of the eliminations, they had compiled a 4-7 card, the first time that the 63-year-old had a losing record with Ginebra.
Their campaign then went to the brink, but a stroke of luck – thanks to NorthPort win over Alaska – gave them hope. They went on to beat Phoenix Super LPG in the playoff for no. 8 to catch the last bus to the quarters.
But then, the remaining Gin Kings could only do so much. The Tropang Giga proved to be too tough to overcome, and their reign came to an end.
It was totally a heartbreaking run for the crowd darlings. But the league’s only 23-time champion coach vowed that it won’t happen again.
“All I can say is that it won’t happen again as long as I am the coach,” Cone said.
