DESPITE being up 2-1 in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series, Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone admitted his team is still struggling to slow down Rain or Shine’s fast-paced offense.
“I think we’re a little better at it today (Sunday). But I think this is the pace Rain or Shine likes to play. Yeng Guiao is happy with their pace but I think we played a little bit better,” Cone told media men, following his team’s 103-98 win in Game 3 witnessed by more than 13,400 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena.
While the Gin Kings had more fastbreak points, 15-7, and scored 25 points off the Elasto Painters’ 20 turnovers, Cone said they are still finding a way to break free from their opponents’ defensive pressure.
Ginebra has two of the league’s best ball carriers in Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos, but Cone said they still struggle at some point of Game 3 to set their play due to ROS’ pressure at the backcourt.
“They put so much pressure right on our faces. They give us too much time (to bring the ball up). We don’t have much time to run our offense,” explained the American, the 25-time PBA champion coach.
Cone added that Rain or Shine’s disruptive defensive effort pushes Thompson and Abarrientos to find ways and be creative in setting their plays.
“We got to push ourselves and just find the right time and be good decision makers. Scottie and RJ are good decision makers. And despite the pressure, they still find a way to organize,” he said.
With two wins away from reaching the Finals, Cone had to remind his wards to stay calm, knowing Rain or Shine’s ability to bounce back.
“It’s really a bit about players staying calm, continuing to do what they had intended to do at the beginning of the game,” he said.
“When they start to do things in a hurry and try to catch up, that’s when you get yourselves into trouble,” added Cone. “Hats off to our guys for keeping the poise and being able to punch back.”
