Tim Cone lauds Ginebra's mental fortitude in grueling semis series
At A Glance
- Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone lauded the mental fortitude his wards have displayed so far especially facing up against the negativity and adversities throughout its best-of-seven semifinals series against Meralco.
Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone lauded the mental fortitude his wards have displayed so far especially against the negativity and adversities throughout its best-of-seven semifinals series against Meralco.

More than the physical toll of playing every other day in the semifinals, the series was more of a mental battle for the Kings who had to fight through the negative thoughts after falling behind, 1-2, earlier in the series and a big margin in the pivotal Game 5.
“So much of this game is mental. So much of this game is trying to stay positive and battle through the negativity that happens,” said Cone.
Cone said that little mistakes like missed shots, defensive lapses or the opposing team simply outplaying the other on loose balls are often magnified as the team trails in a game or in the series.
The team, however, is still expected to keep its spirits up and fight through it – something that the Kings have been doing great in the series so far.
They picked themselves up from a deflating Game 3 loss to moving one step away from making it to the Finals. Ginebra also battled back from a 15-point deficit in the crucial contest before making the big run to take the 89-84 win.
“That is what I’m most proud about. Our guys’ ability to battle and fight through all of that adversity and find a way to win that’s very character building as a team,” said Cone.
Facing such trials were not entirely new to Ginebra given their ‘Never-Say-Die’ attitude but it always amazes Cone how his team was able to find a way to lift their spirits.
And in that Game 5 win, it came in the form of a huge triple from LA Tenorio to end the third quarter that kept the fight burning for Ginebra.
“You have to battle that negativity and really fight to stay positive and when you get a lift like that, like the shot of LA at the end of the third quarter that really lifted us going into the timeout,” Cone.
“Instead of battling what would have been negativity, we were locked in and ready to move forward because we were all positive,” he added.