MANILA, Philippines — Even with just eight players competing on Sunday, Barangay Ginebra showed grit fighting through adversity, while coach Tim Cone managed to draw out a gem of a game from seldom-used gunner Ralph Cu in the most crucial point of the team’s PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup elimination round campaign.
After averaging just eight minutes during his first nine games in this conference, the 29-year-old Ginebra wingman got the needed playing time to showcase what he is capable of doing— that is, when given the chance.
The 6-foot-4 Cu delivered a conference-high 15 points, knocking down five of his seven attempts from three-point distance, along with collaring five rebounds and three assists as Ginebra rolled past Rain or Shine, 114-90 on Sunday.
During the post-game interview, Cone regretted not giving the 23rd overall pick of Ginebra in the PBA 2023 Rookie Draft longer time on the floor.
“He stepped up tonight and hit big shot after big shot after big shot. I don’t play him enough. I know that, when he does things like this I feel like such an idiot because he should be out there doing that stuff all the time,” Cone said, whose team peppered Rain or Shine with 21 threes.
“I’m always apologizing to him but I got to learn my lesson and quit feeling like an idiot.” But ever the professional, Cu accepted the fact that he’ll have to wait for his number to be called, being aware that he’s playing for a veteran-laden Gin Kings side.
“Ever since I was drafted I knew Ginebra was always going to be a deep team especially if Justin’s there a lot of [our] minutes would definitely go down,” Cu shared.
“As a player, you have to stay ready, anytime your number’s called, first half, second half, you just have to be ready and make an impact.” The win pushed Ginebra to a share of second spot with its victim at 8-3, behind league leader NLEX’s 9-2 card.
The win was a huge turnaround for the Gin Kings, who on Friday, got their behinds kicked by the Meralco Bolts, 112-91.
More importantly, Ginebra inches closer to securing a top 4 finish, which dangle twice-to-beat incentives to the four best squads entering the quarterfinals.
