Tim Cone, Ginebra ‘motivated as ever’ to end PBA season with a title

MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra was denied of a three-peat in the PBA Governors’ Cup when it lost to sister team Star in the 2018 finals, and this loss has struck a chord with head coach Tim Cone.

The PBA’s most successful coach, Cone arrived at the Gin Kings’ bench in 2015 and led the team to the 2016 Governors’ Cup giving the franchise its first title in eight years.

Since that 2016 triumph, Cone has led the Gin Kings to the 2017 Governors’ Cup and 2018 Commissioner’s Cup and he’s focused on adding one more title before the 2019 season ends.

“I’m motivated as I’ve ever been since we failed in the last couple of conferences and I felt we had good shots last conference and another good shot at the All-Filipino but we also failed there,” said Cone after the Gin Kings’ 100-90 loss to the Changwon LG Sakers in a tune-up game Friday at Upper Deck Sports Center.

“I don’t like going more than a year without a championship so we’re very motivated.”

Cone, who owns 21 championships, is the only coach in PBA history to have won two Grand Slams and he’s taking a team to the league’s third conference that needs a little bit more tweaking.

Point guard Stanley Pringle has yet to complete a conference with the Gin Kings since the team acquired him via trade early in the Commissioner’s Cup while versatile forward Joe Devance is still recovering from a foot injury.

There’s also Greg Slaughter who Cone said is “in great shape” heading into the third conferenc. The 7-foot center is visibly slimmer from his appearance in the first part of the season.

“Things are looking up for us. We’re good on paper but we got to translate that to the court.”