December 14, 2024

Ginebra focuses on what it can control — defense — against Phoenix for 2-0 start

Ginebra focuses on what it can control — defense — against Phoenix for 2-0 start
Ginebra reinforcement Justin Brownlee tries to get past Phoenix's Tyler Tio in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Friday, Dec. 13. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

Ginebra turned it up a notch in the fourth quarter, pouring 23 points while holding Phoenix to just seven to come up with a 94-72 victory in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.

 That was the Gin Kings' second straight win after kickstarting their bid this conference just two days ago against NLEX.

 For Ginebra coach Tim Cone, his charges' fourth quarter surge boils down to their application of their philosophy of being a defensive team.

 "That's basically our philosophy: We're a defensive team first. We will tolerate our offensive mistakes, but defense is more of effort and knowledge. And so, our expectations are always higher defensively than we are offensively," said Cone.

 

Cone went on to explain that while his wards may have their off nights  which they could not control  but their defensive efforts are what they have control over and thus they should focus on that.

 "We feel we're going to make shots some nights and some nights we're not going to make shots. We don't have control over that. But the effort and focus we put on defense, we can control that every night. So, we tolerate less mistakes on defense than we do on offense," he said.

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 Cone added that defense is part of the culture of Ginebra and the players are slowly picking up on it.

 "Something we always talk about that's part of our culture. And, slowly but surely, the guys are learning it," said Cone.

Coach Tim Cone emphasizes the importance of defense for Ginebra. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

 Ginebra held Phoenix to a 36 percent shooting clip while converting 50.7 of its scoring attempts. 

 The Gin Kings also controlled the boards, 48-39, and moved the ball better with 30 assists to the Fuel Masters' 12.

 Though both squads stumbled to 14 turnovers, it was Ginebra who fed on 19 points off it against Phoenix's 11.

 

The Gin Kings also had more steals, 8-3.

 Scottie Thompson logged a team-best 17 points while Japeth Aguilar had 16. Troy Rosario scored 14 on his second game with Ginebra.

 But it was RJ Abarrientos who nabbed the Player of the Game honors with his 12 points, five rebounds and six assists.

 Justin Brownlee had 10 points, seven boards and seven dimes in a little more than 32 minutes of action.

 Donovan Smith paced the Fuel Masters with a double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds, Ken Tuffin contributed 15 while Jason Perkins shot 10 for the luckless squad.

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