Tim Cone and Ginebra finished off Meralco in three games in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup quarterfinals after their Game 7 semifinal heartbreak against the same team last conference.
Ginebra may have had a 2-0 lead heading into Game 3 of the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals against the Meralco Bolts, but they were the team that played with a chip on their shoulder.
Still feeling the sting of their Game 7 semifinals loss against the Bolts in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup earlier this year, the Gin Kings had a lot to play for even with the outright advantage.
[READ: PBA: Chris Banchero, Meralco stun Ginebra in Game 7, reach PH Cup Finals for first time]
“They beat us [during] the last [conference], and Stephen [Holt] wasn’t part of that.” Cone said after their Game 3 win on Monday.
“In the last series [against Meralco], in Game 7, they tore us apart in Game 7. So it’s been a long time coming to be able to come back and be able to have a chance to make up for that and make that up for our fans as well.” he added.
Similar to their series at the ongoing Governors’ Cup, Ginebra likewise held the advantage against Meralco in the Philippine Cup semis showdown, leading the series 3-2 heading into Game 6.
They ended up squandering back-to-back chances to close Meralco out and were eventually eliminated in the do-or-die Game 7, 4-3.
This time around, the Gin Kings pounced on the first chance they had to close it out.
“Just credit goes to the guys for just really reaching deep,” said Cone.
“As Stephen just said to me, they’re really locked in [during] the second half… They’re amazing to watch and you see them really reach deep from within themselves to pull that game out.”
[ALSO READ: Tim Cone ‘shocked’ as Gin Kings complete sweep of Bolts in PBA quarters]
Even as they played inspired basketball, it took a lot of hard work from the Gin Kings to churn out the win – including some clutch baskets late in the game after Anjo Caram hit a four-pointer to make it a three-point game, 109-106, with 22 seconds left.
Luckily for Cone, Holt and Maverick Ahanmisi ended up finishing the job at the charity stripe to tow the Gin Kings to victory.
Still, the story isn’t finished for Cone and the Gin Kings as they still have a long way to go in the Governors’ Cup.
After taking their spot in the semifinals, Ginebra are currently waiting for the winner of the best-of-five series between the Converge FiberXers and perennial rivals San Miguel Beermen to determine their foes in the next round.
Converge avoided a sweep against the Beermen as they seized the Game 3 victory also on Monday night, thanks to a game-winner from Alec Stockton.
The semifinals will be a best-of-seven affair.