Cone concerned about Ginebra’s inside game

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is off to a rousing start after hurdling its first two assignments in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

However, head coach Tim Cone expressed concern about one facet of the Gin Kings’ game that needs to be addressed: Points in the paint allowed.

While Ginebra looked to run the floor with its up-tempo game, the crowd-drawing squad was slow to clog the shaded lane in its last two games when it gave up an average of 52 inside points.

“It certainly does (raise a concern),” Cone said following the Gin Kings’ 102-92 win over a much smaller Phoenix last Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ginebra was outmuscled in points in the paint, 30-46, by the Fuel Masters.

“We gave 30 points in the paint in the first half. I don’t think we did as badly in the second half. But that’s, definitely, a concern for us,” Cone added.

The Gin Kings yielded even more inside points in their narrow 113-107 triumph over Rain or Shine.

The Elasto Painters knocked down 58 inside points — 10 more than Ginebra’s output down low.

“We’re a team that usually doesn’t do that, doesn’t give up the inside points. We’ve got to respect the shooters of the other team as well. We’re trying to find the balance,” Cone said.

“(But) we haven’t quite found that balance at this point. We’re still working towards it. Something we talk about for sure and something we know we gotta get better at.”

Ginebra, on the other hand, has been playing with a lot more energy and spunk.

It did wonders for the Gin Kings especially during the stretches where they created the separation to pull away from their foes.

Still, Cone wants to see a balance on the team’s offense and defense.

“But the key is, we have to go back to the points in the paint, we have to find that balance between up-tempo and still being able to play the defense that we historically always play,” Cone said.

“That’s what we’re trying to find balance. When you start up-tempo and a lot like that sometimes you deemphasize your defense. We want to find a way to up-tempo and still emphasize our defense as well. That’s where we’re struggling to find balance right now,” he added.

“But hopefully, the more we get used to running up and down the floor, the better and more alert we’ll be on the defensive side.”

Ginebra will return to action on Friday against the Meralco.