Following its masterful showing a couple of nights ago, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel now has a commanding 3-1 lead in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals over rivals Meralco Bolts.
And eyes are definitely on the Gin Kings heading into Game Five of the best-of-seven series tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena if they will be able to close it out and clinch the crown.
Coach Tim Cone, however, isn’t looking too far ahead despite the advantage the crowd darlings have.
The decorated coach has seen it all, including having a 3-1 lead in a playoff series only for it to be blown.
Cone was the head coach of the Alaska Aces squad that blew such lead against the Purefoods Chunkee Giants bannered by James Yap and Marc Pingris in the 2006 Philippine Cup semifinals.
The Chunkee Giants went on to win the championship at the expense of the Yeng Guiao-mentored Red Bull Barako, with the 6-foot-4 Pingris being named the Finals Most Valuable Player.
“I have lost a 3-1 lead before, in a series. I lost it to Ryan Gregorio and Purefoods, and I’ll never forget that,” said the 62-year-old bench tactician.
“It was in the semifinals, we were up 3-1, and I think that’s only happened a few times in PBA history, and it happened to the team I coached.”
And that is why the league’s winningest coach was the very first to warn that a 3-1 lead is not safe.
“I’m well aware that a team can come back. You just can’t give them the momentum and the confidence that they’ll be searching for,” said Cone, who’s gunning for his 22nd PBA title.
“So, we’re gonna have to go out and try to make a statement early in Game Five.”
