TIM Cone perfectly described his ejection in the waning seconds of Barangay Ginebra’s 81-78 loss to Phoenix in its debut game in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“It was a difficult night altogether. Very frustrating,” said the 67-year-old champion coach on his way out of the Smart Araneta Coliseum after the game on Sunday.
READ Grigsby's double-double in vain as Phoenix spoils Ginebra debut
Cone was thrown out of the game after incurring two technical fouls for complaining to the referees in the final 67 seconds and the Kings trailing, 80-70.
The outspoken mentor admitted the way game officials called the game was part of his frustration, along with the way the Kings played against the Fuel Masters.
“It was a frustrating night in many, many respects. The way we started the game. We battled back, and then every time we battled back, we ran into weird calls,” noted Cone.
“It spilled out to the referees, but the bottom line is we didn’t play well.”
Cone said both RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario, fresh from their stint with Gilas Pilipinas, just practiced with the Kings the last three days.
He, too, rejoined the team late.
“That’s why I think our bench players were so much better than our starters,” said the Ginebra coach. “Hopefully, that will help turn around for us.”
The Kings, who played minus injured star player Scottie Thompson and resident import Justin Brownlee, return to the court on Friday to battle the Blackwater Bossing.
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