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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider TNT out to spoil Ginebra's party in the finals, says Lastimosa

TNT out to spoil Ginebra's party in the finals, says Lastimosa

Published Apr 1, 2023 06:36 am
TNT head coach Jojo Lastimosa is confident of coming into his first PBA finals appearance as a head coach despite facing his long-time mentor and Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

*TNT interim tactician Jojo Lastimosa is facing his former mentor Tim Cone in his first PBA finals appearance as head coach (PBA Images)

*

Embracing the underdog mentality, Lastimosa said the Tropang Giga has nothing to lose and everything to gain in the Finals showdown slated next week that would pit two of the most stacked and talented teams in the league right now. “I’m excited to see him (Cone), my former coach and I have nothing to lose. Our team has nothing to lose. He’s been there, he’s done that and everything is riding for them and everyone is expecting that Ginebra will win this championship anyway,” said Lastimosa, whose history with Cone goes a long way back. Lastimosa won nine of his 10 PBA titles as a player under Cone when he was still playing for Alaska during the 90’s including the 1996 Grand Slam where he played with fellow PBA greats Johnny Abarrientos, Jeffrey Cariaso and Bong Hawkins. This time, though, Lastimosa hopes to take one from the winningest coach in the league, especially now that they have prolific import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to back the Tropang Giga up against the defending champions boasting of resident import Justin Brownlee, who has been undefeated in his first six finals appearance. “We’re only here probably to spoil the party and hopefully we can come up with a good game like what we did here on the series and I got Rondae on my side so I’m okay with it,” Lastimosa said moments after TNT booked a Finals ticket at the expense of Meralco, 107-92, in Game 4 of their best-of-five semifinal series. Lastimosa also believes on his charges, which he thinks are peaking at the right time. “Going into this series, I like my chances. My players are playing well and maybe you guys noticed that we were winning games during our streak with our scoring and right now, (we are) defending really well,” he said. “We really need to play offense and defense in this championship series so I think the guys are gonna be ready.”

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Coach Tim Cone Jojo Lastimosa TNT Tropang Giga PBA Finals
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