“No doubt about it, this is a big win for us.”
This is how Tim Cone described Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s 93-81 triumph over the San Miguel Beermen, whom Cone also hailed as the league’s gold standard.
“I hadn’t had the chance to think about NorthPort [Batang Pier] yet,” Cone admitted postgame ahead of Ginebra’s clash with the league’s top team so far. “We were just so consumed with San Miguel because they’re the team everybody measures themselves by. If you can go out and compete with San Miguel, then basically you can compete with anybody. They are the yardstick of the league…”
With 29 championships and over 1,200 wins all time, San Miguel is truly the PBA’s standard bearer. So, forgive the league’s winningest coach if he wants his team building its own winning standard regardless of which team is up next—and whether Ginebra is coming off a win or a loss.
Ginebra Looks to Keep Building with NorthPort Looming
Next up for Ginebra is the Batang Pier, who are playing arguably their best ball yet. The barangay, according to Cone will do their homework preparing for the “completely different animal” that is NorthPort. But, just as important, Ginebra will look to continue setting a high standard on their level of play.
“Every game is different, and I think we understand that as a group. But your approach can’t change, the approach stays solid and you try to create a standard in the way you play. That’s what we’re more focused on…,” Cone explained.
With the TNT Tropang Giga, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and Meralco Bolts up next after NorthPort, the barangay better hope that standard is built to championship levels. That’s because this stretch run for Ginebra will have implications on playoff positioning—specifically for that twice-to-beat advantage.
At least Ginebra has something good to build on moving forward.
