The Ginebra Gin Kings are still comfortably up, 3-1, in their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal faceoff with the NorthPort Batang Pier.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone could not hide his frustration in the aftermath of his charges' 103-108 defeat to NorthPort in Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Wednesday, March 5.
According to Cone, the Gin Kings simply struggled to lock in after cruising to three straight victories by an average of over 20 points in the best-of-seven series.
While he saw a pushback from top-seeded Batang Pier coming, the veteran mentor found his wards' lack of focus unacceptable.
“They (NorthPort Batang Pier) came out and fought. To their credit, they came out and fought. They could have let this thing go to us easy. And they came out and fought from the very beginning of the game all the way through,” said Cone.
“We just had a hard time. It was like pulling teeth trying to get guys to really lock in to the game, lock in to what we’ve been doing. It’s kind of a natural reaction being up 3-0. But it’s not something that we find acceptable. Even though we know it could happen that way, it’s unacceptable for us.”
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Ginebra did show some grit in the final minutes, nearly erasing an 11-point deficit on Stephen Holt’s booming three from the right corner, 103-104.
But Kadeem Jack was quick to restore order for NorthPort, nailing a fallaway jumper over Troy Rosario with 19.3 ticks left to play.
The NorthPort Batang Pier give their all-out effort against the Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings in Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup semifinals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Ginebra still comfortably leads the series, 3-1.
Cone acknowledged the valiant effort of the Batang Pier, who gained some much-needed confidence in the best-of-seven contest.
“So we should have been better. But you've got to give credit to coach Bonnie (Tan). He got his guys ready. They came out and played. They fought, so they deserve it tonight,” Cone said.
“They beat us in all facets tonight. We’ll see what we can do on Friday.”
[WATCH: NorthPort subdues Brgy. Ginebra in Game 4, stays alive in semifinal joust | PBA Highlights]
Ginebra and NorthPort lock horns again in Game 5 on Friday, March 7, at the same venue.
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad/One Sports Digital)