Coach Tim Cone. PHOTO by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
COACH Tim Cone is no stranger to slow starts despite all his successes in the pro league.
Cone is mired in his third straight 0-2 start to a season after Barangay Ginebra blew a 21-point lead in the first quarter and dropped an 82-79 decision to Barako Bull last week.
The Gin Kings set out to break the ice Saturday when they battle Cone’s former squad, Alaska, in the 8 p.m. Philippine Cup game (12 midnight in Manila) at Al Wasl Sports Club in Dubai.
The Gin Kings can take advantage of the expectedly weary Aces, who were battling the Mahindra Enforcers at the same venue at press time Saturday night.
Alaska agreed to play two games in this highly cosmopolitan emirate and could come back to Manila on Sunday holding the lead with victories in both.
Alaska coach Alex Compton knows that they will be at a disadvantage coming into the game against the Gin Kings.
“We’ll have essentially no practice to get ready for [Ginebra],” Compton told PBA.ph. “They’ve had a week to prepare for us, so it’s going to be a challenge.”