GINEBRA is back on track, in joint second on the leaderboard.
Tim Cone says they’re getting close to where they want to be, giving credit to the players for a balanced effort that earned them a bounce-back win at the expense of Rain or Shine after a disheartening loss to San Miguel.
[See LA Tenorio, Sol Mercado provide spark as Ginebra claims Rain or Shine's scalp]
Sol Mercado has been doing particularly well, delivering good numbers in over 31 minutes average in the last four games, again earning praise from the league’s winningest coach.
Against the Painters, Mercado led the Kings with 19 points built on five three-pointers.
"Sol's been playing great," said Cone of the guard, who also had three rebounds and four assists.
"The great thing about Sol is he's a quick learner, he's a fast learner, he's a willing learner."
The Fil-Am guard earned praise from Cone for "playing kind of small forward" in a game against Meralco in Lucena and on Sunday the American coach again made note of the 32-year-old's versatility.
"He's like a canvas that you can paint whatever you want on him because he's so open. He's been really good that way. I'm almost shockingly pleased with him."
See Sol Mercado leads late charge as Ginebra remains king of the road with rout of Meralco in Lucena]
Mercado was quick to return the praise, saying Cone is "the best coach I've ever had."
"Coach Tim is the best I've ever had, no disrespect to other coaches," said Mercado.
"He's really a life coach, people don't really know that about him. He really teaches stuff you can carry on for the rest of your life."
[See Tim Cone airs thoughts on goaltending non-call on Japeth Aguilar against Rain or Shine]
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