Jan Ballesteros
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Ginebra coach Tim Cone described his squad's Game 3 performance as "terrible" as the Gin Kings lost for the second straight time to Meralco in their best-of-seven semifinal duel on Wednesday, May 22.
Coach Tim Cone looks on as his Ginebra crew slugs it out with Meralco in Game 2 of their race-to-four semis series on Sunday, May 19. | File photo (c) RM Chua
Dasmariñas, Cavite – Ginebra coach Tim Cone offered no excuses in the aftermath of the Gin Kings' 87-80 loss to Meralco in Game Three of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinals on Wednesday night, May 22.
After pulling off a 92-88 victory over the Bolts in the series opener, Ginebra stumbled to its foe for the second time in a row after failing to avenge its 103-91 Game Two loss.
"What can I tell you, terrible game. We didn’t deserve it. They did," said an obviously frustrated Cone when he emerged from the team's dugout at the Dasmariñas City Arena here.
"Outshot us, outplayed us, outcoached us."
The Gin Kings gave up 31 points to Meralco in the opening period as the Bolts used a strong start as a springboard in trouncing their rivals.
Meralco stayed in control before weathering a late rally by the Gin Kings on its way to gaining a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series.
Cone said something must change with the way the Gin Kings approach the game. Whatever that may be, the winningest coach in the PBA still has no idea – and he only has one day to figure things out, with Game Four set on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
"We got to change things up. We can’t play the same way. We got to figure it out. Got 24 hours to do so," said Cone.