Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Ginebra coach Tim Cone wouldn’t deny that San Miguel mentor Leo Austria was the better bench tactician in Game 4 of their 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals on Thursday.
“They just took it to us,” he said on the heels of Ginebra’s 81-102 defeat. “It was brilliant coaching by coach Leo. They played well but that comes from the bench. On the other hand, it was terrible coaching by me. I was just totally outcoached and outclassed today.”
.@barangayginebra coach @manilacone admits that @TheSMBeermen coach @austrialeo outcoached him in Game 4. #PBA2018 pic.twitter.com/kSuNK9o42w
— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) March 15, 2018
The Gin Kings had no answer for everything the Beermen threw at them as they just watched as the three-time defending champions executed their demolition.
Ginebra was still in the thick of things early, but San Miguel’s 11-0 blitz to finish the opening frame for the 32-22 lead took the air out of the crowd favorites as they struggled from all over and even saw the deficit balloon to as much as 29, 84-55 late in the game.
“They came out and we didn’t figure out their zone early. We gave that zone life and never got it going,” said Cone as the Gin Kings allowed the Beermen to shoot an efficient 51-percent clip from the field.
“Defensively, they attacked us really well and shot the ball well. Everything just kind of mushroomed today. But it really comes down to brilliant adjustments by coach Leo that we weren’t just prepared for.”
Cone took full responsibility for the downfall as Ginebra now stares at a 1-3 hole in the best-of-seven series, with a do-or-die clash set on Saturday at Cuneta Astrodome.
“We should’ve been prepared, but we weren’t. And that’s on me,” he said.
With no more room for errors, Cone is still confident on the Gin Kings resolve ahead of the crucial tussle.
“This is a tough one to swallow especially since we played so hard and so well last game. But we move forward from it,” he said.