BINAN, LAGUNA - Tim Cone tried something different on this night by parading perhaps one of the tallest starting units in PBA history.
The Ginebra mentor experimented with import Charles Garcia, Japeth Aguilar, and the comebacking Greg Slaughter in his first lineup in the Kings' 105-91 rout of Blackwater in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Alonte Sports Arena on Friday night.
Cone said he definitely likes what he saw.
"We start three bigs together and I don't know if we've seen a bigger starting lineup in the PBA before - 7-feet, 6-10, and 6-9," said the 60-year'old coach. "We were kind of curious to see how it works, and it worked really well.
"I thought the guys sacrificed for each other. And I think it's going to be a force."
Ginebra's Big 3 combined for 43 points and 22 rebounds, although Cone admitted Garcia and Slaughter are not yet really in the groove of things.
"Again as I've said we got to get them in better shape," said the champion coach.
That showed as the Kings slowed down in the second half after a fast start that saw them race to a 60-37 lead in the second quarter.
"I thought we really played a good first half when we had the energy, but we kind ran out of gas in the second half and didn't play the level that we want to," said Cone.
But for winning their first game after losing their first two outings, Cone will definitely take this one.
"Anytime you win after a couple of losses, it feels good for everybody," he said. "Hopefully we can start carrying this over and start creating some momentum."
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.
