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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider What happened to Ginebra the last two times it had a 3-2 lead?

What happened to Ginebra the last two times it had a 3-2 lead?

Published May 30, 2026 01:41 pm

At A Glance

  • There's simply no reason for Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone to celebrate despite moving on a cusp of a finals return after taking Game 5 of its' PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup semifinal series against Rain or Shine.
There's simply no reason for Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone to celebrate despite moving on a cusp of a finals return after taking Game 5 of its' PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup semifinal series against Rain or Shine.
While the Kings have taken a 3-2 series lead in their best-of-seven series, Cone knows better than to get carried away. History has shown that winning Game 5 and gaining a one-game edge in a best-of-seven series is far from a guarantee of eventual victory.
The last two times, Ginebra held such an advantage but were unable to finish the job, dropping consecutive games before falling in Game 7.
“We're not going to be happy with this win," said Cone after his team's 111-104 Game 5 victory over Rain or Shine. "We've been in this situation the last couple series we've been in. In the best of seven, we led 3-2 and then got beat both times."
According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, Cone is pertaining to Ginebra best-of-seven series losses to Meralco, during the 2024 Philippine Cup semifinals, and to TNT in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup finals.
In the first series against the Bolts, the Kings seized the 3-2 series lead with an 89-84 win but ended up losing Games 6 and 7, first an 81-86 defeat and then a 69-78 beating.
Against the Tropang 5G, the Kings seized a 3-2 lead with a dominant 73-66 Game 5 win but dropped two close results in Games 6 (83-87) and 7 (83-87).
That serves as a stark reminder for Cone, who is wary of any hint of complacency as Ginebra heads into the pivotal Game 6 on Sunday, May 31. The Kings may be ahead, but the veteran coach insists his team stay locked in and avoid getting carried away by its recent triumph.
“It's too easy to get too euphoric with a 3-2 lead and think you're right there. You're not. We've got a lot of work to do. A lot of things went our way tonight, which is great. I mean, we're fortunate, but we've got to move on. And be locked in,” said Cone.

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