Tim Cone's Ginebra Gin Kings tried to mount a comeback but did not have enough in their tanks in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone did not seem in the mood, but he still accommodated members of the press in the aftermath of his charges' 89-95 loss to TNT in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals Friday, March 14.
Trying to explain what happened, Cone said the Gin Kings just could not negate the Tropang Giga's defense.
“We have to understand that this series is going to be a lot tougher than the last one. We got a little bit confused out there. Credit their defense. They defended really well, as usual,” said Cone.
But it was not just the defensive effort of TNT that keyed their strong start to the best-of-seven series.
[RELATED STORY: PBA Finals: What Ginebra needs to do to beat TNT]
TNT also clicked on offense, particularly from deep in the opening period, knocking down eight triples in its 29-18 opening salvo.
Three of those triples came from RR Pogoy, who finished with 15 points to backstop import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
RHJ was the star of the show with his 34 big points on top of 13 rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block.
[RELATED STORY: TNT import RHJ lauds teammates' efforts in Game 1: 'We played extremely hard defensively']
Stephen Holt runs into Calvin Oftana's defense as he goes for a drive in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Ginebra needs to do their job on the defensive end as well, according to Cone.
“We made way too many defensive mistakes. It’s Game 1. It’s not what we wanted. We deal with it and move forward,” said the veteran mentor.
“I’m getting kind of tired of saying we’re outplayed and outcoached. We've got to change the narrative.”
The Gin Kings will try to do just that in Game 2 on Sunday, March 16, at the same venue.