The game between the TNT Tropang 5G and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Sunday was much anticipated. They are, after all, rivals. It was also the first time the two teams would be facing off after their epic PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals that reached all seven games
Needless to say, fans expected it to go down the wire, much like Game 7 of that Finals. Instead, Ginebra scored the first 13 points of the game and ran away with it, ultimately posting a 97-78 rout to improve to 7-3 and stop TNT’s six-game winning run.
To some, Ginebra’s wire-to-wire victory is proof that the crowd darlings are peaking at the right time. Some say it was a statement win. Tim Cone, however, isn’t reading much into Ginebra’s stunning rout but is certainly thankful for it.
“I just don’t think we make too much of a deal out of this game,” Cone told reporters on Sunday after Ginebra’s win. “It’s an elimination [round] game, they’re coming off a six-game winning streak, they played a day before yesterday. I just don’t think they were as ready for our intensity tonight.”
Ginebra a Beneficiary of ‘Mitigating Circumstances,’ Says Cone
What Cone is probably trying to say was that a perfect storm helped Ginebra out a lot. The Tropa had been hard at work digging themselves out of an early 0-3 whole and were playing a second time in three days. Ginebra, in contrast, was well rested and had a week to prepare for their nemesis.
“We’ve been off for a week, we’ve planning on this this game for a week, and it was a big game in terms of standings and top four,” Cone pointed out. “They’re right in the fight, and we knew that. I just think we came out with some real ferociousness to start the game and we’re able to carry it through. But again, there were some mitigating circumstances that allowed us to get this game.”
Mitigating circumstances notwithstanding, Cone and his wards will happily take the win as it pretty much sealed their spot in the top four—and the twice-to-beat advantage that comes with it.
“At this point in the conference when you’re battling for that top four spot, you take any advantage you can get,” added Cone.
Ginebra certainly took advantage on Sunday. Now, Cone and his wards will look to build on it as they gear up for the playoffs—likely with a twice-to-beat edge thanks to their win over TNT.
