Tim Cone rues Ginebra’s lack of ‘discipline’ in Game 1 loss

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Tim Cone reacts during a game vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO—Coach Tim Cone conceded that Barangay Ginebra wasn’t able to respond to Rain or Shine’s timely plays in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals here.

The Gin Kings succumbed to the Elasto Painters, 115-111, on Wednesday at Ynares Center despite leading by 10 in the fourth quarter before failing to hold on down the stretch.

“They hit the bigger shots and we played their game tonight,” Cone lamented. “We didn’t have much discipline.”

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While Justin Brownlee put up 32 points and RJ Abarrientos fired 21, including several threes that appeared to have been enough to secure Game 1, those were not enough to salvage Ginebra.

And Cone warned that the Gin Kings will be in for some big trouble if they keep making the same mistakes the rest of the way.

“If we’re going to continue to be like that, we’re not going to win many games in this series,” he said. “We’ve got to be tougher, we’ve got to be better, we’ve got to be more disciplined. They hit the bigger shots and made the bigger plays down the stretch.

“The bottom line is we gave up way too many games. We made them play their running game and we made too many turnovers. We’ve got to be better locked in next time.”

Game 2 is on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City as Ginebra looks to bounce back and avoid a 0-2 deficit.