MANILA, Philippines: Tim Cone admitted he and the rest of his Barangay Ginebra coaching staff got out-coached as the Gin Kings got swept, 3-0 in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ginebra came out with a lot of energy in Game 3, falling behind early by eight points, but eventually taking a six-point lead in the third canto.
But San Miguel’s talent depth was clearly evident in the Final Four series, while import Bennie Boatwright and veteran guard Jericho Cruz provided the outside artillery that all but sank the Ginebra ship and denied the league’s most popular squad a chance to win back-to-back titles this conference.
“We played hard. Really appreciative of our guys out there. They laid it on the line, but we just came up short to a team that’s really on a roll,” Cone said in a post-game interview with One Sports.
“Big credit to coach Jorge and his staff. They came out with adjustments for each game. They did a great job and out-coached us, all we could do is tip our cap to them,” he added.
The 27-year-old Boatwright knocked down six triples to finish with 26 points in the close-out game, while Cruz fired 12 of his 17 points off the bench in the second half as the two formed a deadly 1-2 scoring punch for the Beermen.
Cone recognized the Beermen’s talent depth and the poise the team showed under coach Jorge Gallent.
“We played hard. We stayed in each game. We maxed them, and battled and battled but we just came up short,” explained the 66-year-old Cone, whose team won the Commissioner’s Cup last season after beating the Bay Area Dragons in a seven-game title series.
“They hit all the big shots and we couldn’t hit shots down the stretch. But (when) you beat (another team) 3-0, your team is doing something right,” he stressed. “They are well coached, they play at a high level, tough team.”