Tim Cone confident Barangay Ginebra can bounce back after sluggish Philippine Cup opening

The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel have endured an unusually rocky start to their 2025 PBA Philippine Cup campaign, managing just two wins in five games to open the season — a rare sight for one of the league’s most dominant franchises.

Head coach Tim Cone admitted he anticipated a challenging stretch after seeing the team’s early schedule. Ginebra opened the conference with an 80–73 loss to the Magnolia Hotshots before bouncing back with a 92–77 victory over TNT Tropang Giga. However, the Kings stumbled again, dropping back-to-back games against the Meralco Bolts and long-time rivals San Miguel Beermen.

The Gin Kings regained some rhythm in their most recent outing, a 104–74 blowout win over the NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday, November 2, snapping their skid and restoring some much-needed confidence.

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“We noticed from the very beginning, once we saw the schedule, that we might struggle early,” Cone said. “We were prepared mentally that our record might not be what we wanted it to be.”

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Ginebra head coach Tim Cone keeps things in perspective after the Gin Kings snapped their skid with a statement win over NLEX last night.

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Reflecting on their struggles, the veteran coach cited difficulties adjusting during their game against San Miguel in Dubai, noting that lack of practice time affected their shooting rhythm.

“We didn’t shoot the ball well in Dubai — it was a tough place to shoot. We didn’t get a chance to practice or even warm up at the venue before the game,” Cone explained.

Despite the early hurdles, Cone was delighted with his team’s response against NLEX, emphasizing the improved energy and defensive effort that fueled the 30-point victory over a team riding a three-game win streak.

“We made some adjustments to our game today — tried to push the pace and get easier baskets,” Cone said. “People will look at how well we shot, but for me, it came down to our defense. I thought we did a great job defensively.”

The 67-year-old tactician plans to use Ginebra’s short break to fine-tune their game before they return to action against newcomers Titan Ultra Kings on Sunday, November 9, in Montalban, Rizal.

With momentum back on their side, the Kings will aim to build consistency and reclaim their usual powerhouse form as the Philippine Cup progresses.

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