‘Never say die’ is ‘done, not said,’ Jaworski reminds Ginebra after blowout loss

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Ginebra coach Tim Cone heard that the Robert Jaworski was about to pay the team a visit in the dugout after the game on Thursday, but there was no sign of the living legend when the final buzzer sounded.

For the two-time Grand Slam-winning coach, the no-show was unsurprising, especially after the Gin Kings’ humiliating 81-102 Game 4 defeat to San Miguel to fall behind 1-3 in their 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series.

“He didn’t come in. I heard he was coming but I didn’t see him. Maybe we were too far behind,” he said.

Cone himself was disappointed for what he felt was a lackluster effort from his team, which is a loss away from a semifinals exit.

But for Jaworski, all hope is not lost for his old team, but he knows pulling off a comeback against the mighty Beermen would take more than just Ginebra’s A-game.

“They’ve had a hard journey before the semis, and this time, it isn’t easy. They’re playing San Miguel and they have to put a lot of effort and desire together,” said the Ginebra great. “San Miguel is shooting threes and you’re not even defending. What will happen? They got to work their butts out.”

Jaworski also stressed that “never say die” attitude isn’t just any motto, but a way of life — something that the Gin Kings need to fully embody ahead of Game 5 on Saturday.

“It’s not just said. It’s done,” he said. “I want to say that they are tired. I wanna say that for them to get back in the series. But they got to do more than what they did tonight.”