MORE than the overtime loss to NLEX, coach Tim Cone was upset with Barangay Ginebra’s lack of discipline in its opening game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday night.
The Kings fell to the Road Warriors, 114-112, in the extra period behind the 50-point explosion of import Al Thornton in a game Cone never bothered to watch down to the bitter end.
With the outcome of the game already beyond reach in the final 1.7 seconds and NLEX leading, 114-109, Cone hurriedly left the playing court and went straight to the Ginebra dugout.
He did shake the hands of Road Warriors coach Boyet Fernandez though, before excusing himself from the game.
[See Thornton catches second wind, scores 50 in NLEX overtime win over Ginebra]
Cone was also the first to leave the Ginebra dugout following a short talk with the Kings. He refused to grant interviews with beat reporters waiting for him outside the team’s dressing room.
“Coach was disappointed because we didn’t play with enough discipline, especially in the defensive end,” said a member of Ginebra’s coaching staff, who asked that he not be identified.
“At ang dami naming fouls, useless fouls actually, considering the team is aware of the new rules on officiating,” said the Kings deputy.
Ginebra committed more fouls against NLEX, 37-27, including the final fouls of both Japeth Aguilar and Chris Ellis on Thornton.
The NBA veteran however, split both his trips to the foul line that could have won it outright for the Road Warriors in regulation.
Thornton redeemed himself in overtime when he scored 10 of the Road Warriors’ 17 points to steer NLEX to the come-from-behind win.
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