Ginebra coach Tim Cone said that he was glad that TNT mentor Chot Reyes, his PBA Finals foe and good friend, got "some vindication" Friday night, Nov. 8.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone did not hide his grief after the Gin Kings fell short against TNT anew in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals.
It was the second straight time the Tropang Giga denied Ginebra a Governors’ Cup coronation following their successful conquest of the latter in Season 47.
“I’m sad for myself. I’m sad for my players. I’m sad for our fans,” Cone told reporters after the Gin Kings' finally succumbed to TNT, 85-95, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Friday, Nov. 8.
But Ginebra put up a fight.
Behind RJ Abarrientos' explosion, the Gin Kings turned a 21-31 deficit into a 43-42 lead at the half as the prized rookie unloaded 18 points in the second period.
Ginebra sustained that fiery form and even led by 11, 68-57, in the third and still had an eight-point advantage, 74-66, entering the final quarter.
[ALSO READ: RJ Abarrientos' takeaway from first PBA Finals: 'I need to be consistent']
It was a see-saw battle from there, until Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson nailed the important baskets that allowed the Tropang Giga to turn the tide and take their 10th PBA title.
As stinging as the loss was for the Barangay, Cone could not help but be happy for his friend and TNT counterpart Chot Reyes.
“But I’m happy for Chot. I’m happy that he got some vindication tonight. It’s been a hard road for him the last couple of years. For him to get this, it’s a real good for him and his family,” Cone said.
“So I’m happy for him. Just wish it wasn’t at my own personal expense, but that’s just the way it is.
[ALSO READ: Justin Brownlee yearns for rematch with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson after 2nd PBA Finals loss: ‘It hurts a little bit’]
Cone and Reyes battled in a PBA Finals seven times, with the latter gaining the edge with four wins.
Reyes surpassed NLEX Jong Uichico after getting his 10th PBA championship as a head coach. Meanwhile, Cone has remained the winningest mentor with 25 titles including two Grand Slams with then Alaska and San Mig Coffee Mixers.
(With reports from Xander Cipriano/One Sports Digital)