Ginebra is set to take on a Magnolia team that’s been struggling to put together wins in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup this coming Sunday, but coach Tim Cone refuses to look at his former team in such a manner.
Speaking from experience, the league’s winningest coach doesn’t put too much stock in a team’s early struggles in a conference, believing that the current Magnolia squad, now led by counterpart LA Tenorio, will eventually figure things out.
“You know, early results are early results,” he offered. “I mean, you always want to get ahead, you always want to be on top of the standings.
“But, you don’t panic when you don’t, and I don’t think Magnolia’s going to panic. I know LA, I know what kind of personality he has, he’s not a guy who panics,” continued the 68-year-old.
“They’re gonna figure it out.”
Cone said as much moments after their 84-75 victory over Meralco at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Friday night—the very same night where Magnolia fell to Rain or Shine, 98-97, no thanks to an Adrian Nocum game-winning layup.
While the Gin Kings improved to 2-2 with a victory over their depleted rivals, who were missing four players, their sister team dropped to the bottom of Group B.
The Hotshots absorbed their third loss in four games, with their first and lone win so far coming at the expense of the Bolts, 112-98, last July 24.
(C) PBA Images
Both squads are entering the ‘Clasico’ in different situations, but Cone cited an instance from the past to drive his point that early losses hardly matter at times.
“I remember in our Grand Slam year with Alaska, we came out and lost our first three games and then we won our next 11 straight,” he said, recalling the 1996 season in which the Alaska Milk franchise secured a rare triple crown.
He also warned of just how dangerous Magnolia can be once it finds its rhythm, which is why he remains wary ahead of their rematch.
He has seen it happen before. In the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, the Hotshots recovered from a 0-3 start by winning seven of their next nine games to secure the No. 5 seed with a 7-5 record and a quarterfinal berth.
Ginebra experienced a similar turnaround. After an inconsistent 2-2 start, the Gin Kings won their next five games and finished the elimination round at 9-3, earning the No. 2 seed entering the playoffs.
They then went on to win the whole thing, dethroning TNT in a best-of-7 Finals series that went the distance to claim the trophy they last won in 2023.
“Hopefully, they figure it out after we play them on Sunday,” joked Cone, drawing chuckles from members of the press before turning serious.
“They have a good team, and he’s a good coach. And they’re gonna figure it out before long. And if they do, watch out. They can go on a tough run.”
