PBA Finals: Game 7 ‘never just another game’ for Ginebra’s Tim Cone
Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT Tropang Giga. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra coach Tim Cone didn’t achieve the “winningest coach in the PBA” identifier without hardships.
One of those hardships, of course, is competing in a Game 7 for the championship.
He will have to do it once again, this time in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, in hopes of giving Ginebra another title in its already rich history.
HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT Game 6
“It’s never just another game. Game 7s are never just another game. It’s tough to prepare for, especially if you’re coming off a loss,” said Cone after Ginebra lost its chance to wrap up the series in Game 6 at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
He, of course, knows for sure how hard it’s going to be having competed in a lot of them in his career.
Crowd shot during Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 6 between Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and TNT Tropang Giga. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“I think it’s harder going into Game 7 when you’re coming off a loss…. We have a lot of things to get right in 24 hours so we’ll be ready to play, that’s going to be our challenge.” Game 7 is set for Friday, also at the Big Dome.
Cone has won 25 championships in his PBA career. If he wants to make it 26, he’d have to dig deep to right the Gin Kings’ wrongs in their 87-83 loss at the hands of the Tropang Giga.
READ: PBA Finals: TNT escapes Ginebra in thriller, forces Game 7
And, according to the veteran tactician, there was a lot.
“They just played better than we did and we made more mistakes than they did,” Cone said.
“We can complain and be angry about it all we want but we have no time. We have to figure out what we’re going to do for Game 7.”
The Gin Kings tallied 18 turnovers whereas the Tropang Giga only had 11, which spelled disaster for the team.
Ginebra was also unsuccessful in locking down TNT’s prized swingman as import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson dominated anew with a monster double-double of 29 points and 13 rebounds.
