Cone cites defense as key

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said defense was the key to repulsing TNT, 88-76, in the deciding Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals before 24,617 fans at the MOA Arena last Wednesday. It was the lowest scoring encounter in the series as Ginebra rebounded from a seven-point deficit at the half to hold TNT to 16 points in the third quarter and 13 in the fourth. In Ginebra’s four wins, TNT was held to an average of 93.3 points and 42.9 percent from the field.

“We knew defense would spell the difference,” said Cone. “Stephen (Holt), although he struggled offensively, was the leader of our defensive effort.” Holt was scoreless in Game 7 but delivered seven rebounds, three offensive in the fourth leading to baskets that sealed the outcome.

In the fourth quarter, Cone said Ginebra was ready for TNT’s 2-2-1 press moving to a 2-3 zone defense that worked against Meralco in the semifinals. “We’d seen their use of the zone through the Meralco series and they used it earlier in our series so we were expecting it when (Chris) McCullough got into foul trouble,” noted Cone. McCullough had five personals but survived to score 11 of TNT’s 13 points in the fourth quarter. The war of attrition caught up with TNT as Jayson Castro sat out Game 7, Calvin Oftana went 1-of-5 from the field nursing a calf strain and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser
was scoreless with an ankle sprain.

While Justin Brownlee led the charge, Scottie Thompson was relentless with 19 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in 44:38 minutes despite a throbbing hamstring. “Scottie is battling a pretty bad hamstring issue,” said Cone. “We’re hoping five days of rest will help him recover for Gilas.” RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario will join Thompson and  Brownlee with Gilas in the coming FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying window.