IT’S another Christmas Day game for Barangay Ginebra as it faces TNT this time around.
Ginebra is set to play on December 25 for the third consecutive year at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, while also in action in three previous times pre-pandemic.
Admittedly, Ginebra coach Tim Cone said it’s always a chore to prepare and play a Christmas Day game. At the same time, Cone said it’s always an honor as well to play on the special day.
“To be honest, I don’t think really anybody likes playing on Christmas Day,” said Cone. “But we also recognizes that it is an honor to play on Christmas Day.”
Apparently, Cone’s thoughts about playing on Christmas is also shared by their counterparts in the NBA through his friendship with Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. But Cone also got from Spoelstra the perspective on how huge of an honor is playing on Christmas Day.
“I know I’ve talked to Erik Spoelstra about that and they have to play on Christmas Day. None of their players want to play on Christmas Day but again, in the NBA, it’s an honor to play on Christmas Day. You are playing on primetime throughout the day and it’s always a huge match-up,” Cone said.
“So we are honored to play against Talk ‘N Text. I’m sure they are honored to play against us,” said Cone.
Ginebra split the last two Christmas Day games with the Gins losing to Magnolia, 117-94, in a ‘Christmas Clasico’ of 2021 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin Kings atoned for that defeat in 2022 when they defeated Bay Area Dragons, 96-81, in Game One of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Cone recognizes the challenges of preparing his team the best way possible during a Christmas setting.
“It’s a difficult game with all the distraction that goes around through the day and in the preparation. We have to practice on Christmas Eve. There’s so many things going on, family-wise, that it’s hard to focus in.”
“We recognize that as a coaching staff. It’s up to us to get through it. We have to understand how important it is for us in terms of the standings and where we want to get to,” said Cone.
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