Barangay Ginebra San Miguel may have come out on top versus the Blackwater Bossing, 115-108, on Friday, but they were certainly pushed to the limit.
And coach Tim Cone, the PBA’s all-time winningest coach, definitely took notice. In fact, it might be safe to say he was impressed by the suddenly rejuvenated Bossing, who raced out to a 23-3 lead to start the game.
“We had opportunities in the third quarter to really break the game open, and Blackwater showed great character—just staying in the game, staying in the game. And they actually took the lead against us in the fourth,” Cone said of the Bossing’s fight. “It was a true struggle tonight. But not because we didn’t play well, but because Blackwater played great.”
Indeed, Blackwater took a 96-93 lead at the 7:16 mark of the fourth after a three-point play from Robert Upshaw III, whom Cone described as “awesome.” In fact, the Bossing looked poised to slay another giant, just as they did to the San Miguel Beermen previously.
Cone Says Blackwater Now a Different Team
Blackwater, though, couldn’t quite complete the upset—largely because Ginebra’s poise and chemistry showed down the stretch. Even so, Cone sees Blackwater as a completely different team now under coach Pat Aquino.
“Gotta give a lot of credit to Pat Aquino. He’s got those guys turned on. He’s playing his personnel really well,” Cone told reporters, unprompted.
Later on, he explained what he thinks is different with Blackwater under Aquino.
“They’re different. They have free will,” Cone pointed out when asked about Aquino’s imprint so far on the Bossing. “They’re playing their own games, especially [Sedrick] Barefield and [Christian] David. And their defense is also heavy. They’re long with Abu [Tratter], David, and [BJ] Andrade.”
Barefield finished with 25 points and 12 assists, while David added 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists to complement Upshaw’s 43-point, 14-rebound double-double.
That effort wasn’t enough on Friday versus Ginebra—but it’s clear the Bossing are heading in the right direction.
Tim Cone, of all people, seems to have taken notice.
