BARANGAY Ginebra coach Tim Cone urged his team to shape up after an alarming start to the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup.
Coming off a championship in the Commissioner’s Cup, the Gin Kings are off to a 1-2 win-loss start after Sunday’s 110-99 defeat at the hands of Rain or Shine.
“I’m disappointed with our effort tonight,” Cone said. “Really, really, really poor effort tonight. The worst we’ve had in a long time.”
READ Fuller, Tiongson lead Rain or Shine to vengeful win over Ginebra
Cone said Rain or Shine deserved the victory with the way they showed urgency in the battle of teams that got off to a flat start to the conference. Rain or Shine evened its record to 2-2 with the win, avoiding a 1-3 hole.
“They outhustled us in all departments tonight. They had a greater sense of urgency. Somehow, I’m going to have to try to light a fire in our players, especially our key guys. They’ve got to come out and play better,” Cone said.
Cone said it was very clear his team needs to shake off its championship hangover.
“Sometimes, coming off a championship, it’s tough getting guys going. It’s like pulling teeth tonight. They have to get everybody on the same page and working hard,” Cone said.
“Riley (Grigsby) has been doing enough for us to win, but everybody else has to contribute at this point. Just keep working on it.”
Cone, however, expressed confidence that the players will eventually figure things out.
“We feel we’ll be there in the end, but I’m not surprised we are going through struggles right now. They’ll probably be more on the horizon at this point. But eventually, we’ll figure it out.
“Generally, we always do. Right now, it’s like pulling teeth trying to get guys to come out and focus, walk into what we do, and play hard. We’ll see,” Cone said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
