Ginebra braces for tough road game as PBA Finals goes to Lucena

Ginebra coach Tim Cone during the PBA Governors’ Cup FInals. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone heaved a sigh of relief after the Gin Kings pulled through against a hard-fighting Meralco side, 91-87, Tuesday night at Araneta Coliseum.

But that’s just the beginning as Ginebra now braces for a road game in Lucena City for Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, which poses a different kind of challenge.

“It’s always tough, the travel and the conditions are always difficult,” said Cone of Friday’s battle at Quezon Convention Center.  “There’s obviously a give-and-take.”

“The bus ride is tough. Not sleeping on your own bed is tough. Not getting your regular routines or the food that you normally [get] is tough,” said Cone.

But if there’s anything 21 championships and two rare Grand Slam should teach Cone, it’s sifting through circumstances and identifying what could be beneficial for the team.

“[T]here’s a real sense of togetherness when you go out of town,” he said.

“You’re on the road together and you’re in the hotel together, and because everybody’s nearby, it’s easy to call them together and do video work.”

Cone hopes to utilize that going into battle set 7 p.m. as the Gin Kings shoot for a 2-0 lead over the Bolts, who they narrowly beat in the past two meetings for the crown.

It couldn’t be more fitting for Cone as he also expects this race to deliver more of the nip-and-tuck action it showcased in the curtain-raiser.

“Fans want to see a good series? They’re gonna a good series,” said Cone. “Like I said, I think it’s just a taste of what we’re gonna see for the next six games.”