BARANGAY Ginebra coach Tim Cone prepares for a tough battle against Bol Bol and TNT in their final game of the elimination round of the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup on Sunday.
The game to be played against the Mall of Asia Arena will feature a rematch of last season's championship series in which the Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-led TNT beat Justin Brownlee-powered Barangay Ginebra in a seven-game series that went the full distance.
READ: Brownlee excited to size up 'NBA talent' Bol Bol in next outing
Times are different for their contest on Sunday with the 7-foot-3 Bol, who will now be going up against Barangay Ginebra before the playoff push.
Cone is bracing for a difficult game against the Tropang 5G in a game where the Gin Kings are looking to secure the No. 2 seed in the quarterfinals.
“Obviously, I think every team has looked forward to matching up to Bol Bol,” said Cone. “We are no different.”
Cone said trying to map out a plan against Bol is like doing the same against nine-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo.
“He just poses unique challenges. Kinda like June Mar (Fajardo) but in a different way. June Mar is so unique in the league that the challenges of trying to guard him and all of the great players around him is very difficult.
Bol Bol is the same way. He has that power inside. He creates so much attention and damage around the paint area just because of his tremendous size and can shoot over everybody. He is a tremendous shooter. He is lights out when he is able to hit those floater. He is amazing in that regard,” Cone said.
Cone warned that Bol won't be the only threat of TNT, and that the locals such as Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, and Jordan Heading could also chip in offensively when not checked.
“It's going to be a very interesting match-up because of the very unique challenges. He's got a good group around him. It's not like a one-man show," Cone stated.
"We have to find a balance between trying to defend him and keeping Calvin and Roger and Jordan and that whole group, we have to be keep them honest as well."
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