Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra locked up the third seet PBA Philippine Cup playoffs after an 86-76 win over also-ran Meralco on Wednesday, but Ginebra coach Tim Cone wasn’t all that happy with how the game ended.
Greg Slaughter gave the Gin Kings an 84-73 lead with 1:07 left, enough time for the Bolts to make a last-ditch comeback but they couldn’t convert on the three chances they had with Chris Newsome missing a three with around 20 seconds remaining.
READ: PBA: Ginebra locks up 3rd seed after crushing also-ran Meralco
With the game all but over, Raymond Aguilar decided to sneak in a late basket to give Ginebra the 86-73 lead but Cone did not like his player’s antics one bit.
“I’m furious at Raymond taking that shot, I’m steaming,” said Cone as per the league’s official website. “I’m sorry to coach Norman [Black] and his team for this.”
Aguilar played just 42 seconds in the game and his last-minute layup was his only field goal of the match.
With still a game left in its schedule, Ginebra is assured of the no. 3 spot regardless of the result of Wednesday’s match against NorthPort.