Tim Cone hails Ginebra’s comeback win over Magnolia as a ‘huge statement game’

The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel continued their rise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup standings after defeating the Magnolia Hotshots, 85-81, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, June 1.

What made this victory even more special for Barangay Ginebra was their ability to overcome a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter, thanks to timely baskets from Jamie Malonzo, Troy Rosario, and Stephen Holt. They rallied from a 61-71 disadvantage, while Magnolia faltered, getting outscored 29-15 in the final stretch.

Japeth Aguilar led the way for Barangay Ginebra with 17 points and 11 rebounds, receiving strong support from Troy Rosario, who added 15 points. Holt chipped in with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Malonzo came off the bench to contribute 11 points, five rebounds, and two steals.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone and Stephen Holt after the win vs. Magnolia. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/5DKMjRYFTM

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Barangay Ginebra’s head coach, Tim Cone, was proud of his team after the victory, calling it a “huge statement game.”

“It was a huge statement game for us. We were playing for our playoff lives in that game. We had put together a couple of losses, and it would have been tough to get back into the hunt for the Top Four,” Cone said in the post-game press conference.

“But this keeps us firmly in the hunt and still allows us to control our destiny. We ran into a really good Meralco team the last time out, and we knew we were going to get much the same from Magnolia. But this time, I thought we put up a better fight. We just persevered through the adversity and showed a lot of grit tonight. That’s what we’re hoping to develop in this team,” he added.

It was an important victory for Tim Cone’s squad, as they climbed to fourth place in the Philippine Cup standings with a 6-3 win-loss record, holding a slight edge over TNT Tropang Giga.

They have two games remaining in the elimination round of the Philippine Cup, both of which they aim to win—starting with their clash against Tropang Giga on Sunday, June 8, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

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