Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Tim Cone on Game 1 defeat: ‘I’m tired of saying we got outplayed’


It may no longer be just about making the necessary adjustments for head coach Tim Cone and the rest of Barangay Ginebra after losing to TNT in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Friday night.

“We got to change the narrative,” the league’s winningest mentor told reporters moments after their 95-89 defeat at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

He was clearly not in the mood for further discussion on the match, except admitting to the lapses by his players that led to the loss.

The Kings seemed particularly confused by the opposing defense, which has been the Tropang Giga’s bread-and-butter even more without the presence of Jayson Castro.

Their veteran is still continuing his recovery from knee surgery.

“I don’t know what to say,” Cone said. “We didn’t play well. We have to understand that this is going to be a lot tougher series than the last one.”

Ginebra’s own defense struggled, and was the reason why they lost a good lead early and fell by 11 points, 29-18, at the end of the first quarter after allowing their long-time corporate rivals to rifle in eight of their 14 three-pointers.

Forced to extend outside, their defense inside suffered, allowing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to attack the lane. The two-time Best Import went on to finish with nearly a triple-double with 34 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.

“We got confused out there with their defense, they defended well as usual. We got to step up our defense as well. We made way too many defensive mistakes,” said Cone, who’s aiming for championship no. 26.

#ReadMore  UAAP Women's Football: Dani Tanjangco's brace lifts La Salle past UP to gain pole

Ginebra tried to come back behind Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos, but it was too little, too late for the crowd darlings.

Cone and the Barangay cannot cry over spilled milk, though, with their attention all set now for Game 2 on Sunday in the same venue.

It’s much too important for the Kings not to fall behind 0-2 versus a squad that has beaten them in their last two Finals duels.

“We’ll deal with it and we’ll move forward. I’m kinda tired of saying that we’re outplayed and outcoached. I get tired of saying that,” he said.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Jeremiah Gray is hoping for the best after hurting his right knee during Ginebra’s eventual win over Terrafirma in their PBA Philippine Cup opener...

Basketball

Ginebra found itself opening its PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup campaign in the very same venue it lost to TNT weeks ago. But the...

Basketball

It was not a case of ‘championship hangover’ as to why TNT fell flat in its PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup opener against NLEX...

Basketball

Much of the attention was inevitably on TNT and its quest for a rare Grand Slam feat, but NLEX refused to become a mere...

Basketball

The PBA is no longer pushing through with its 2025 All-Star festivities. Commissioner Willie Marcial admitted that the prospective host is unavailable to hold...

Basketball

Three weeks after trading JM Calma, Northport pulled the trigger on another frontcourt shake-up, sending Abu Tratter to Blackwater in exchange for James Kwekuteye...

Basketball

Mark Barroca delivering in the clutch on Wednesday was proof that Magnolia’s shift in its approach for the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup is...

Basketball

Mark Barroca came through in the clutch just like the old times as Magnolia frustrated San Miguel in overtime, 98-95, to capture the solo...

Advertisement