Barangay Ginebra shifts to uptempo, three-point shooting team

FOR a team that’s always known for playing hard-nosed defense, Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone admitted that the Gin Kings are still trying to find a balance in integrating the uptempo style of play into their game in the PBA Philippine Cup.

Ginebra surpassed the century mark for the second straight time this conference while more importantly, booking its second consecutive win following its 102-92 decision against Phoenix on Sunday.

The Gin Kings took control of the game for good after outscoring the Fuel Masters 32-19 in the pivotal third quarter to erect a 17-point lead as the league’s most popular squad never looked back.

Interestingly, Ginebra shot 16 three-pointers, with birthday boy and rookie Ralph Cu firing four triples including nine of his 12 points during that third quarter tear for the team.

“Just defensively and our threepoint shooting led by our birthday boy here (Cu), we started hitting shots in transition, something we try to do a little bit more, try to play a little bit more uptempo and looking for shots like that,” Cone said after the game.

“We feel we have shooters, from Ralph, to Stanley (Pringle), Jamie (Malonzo), Nards (Pinto) hitting threes as well, Maverick (Ahanmisi) and that’s what we’re looking for.”

Cu finished the game with 4-of6 shooting from downtown, while Malonzo, who led the team with 17 points, along with Pinto and Pringle knocked down three triples each against Phoenix.

The American mentor believes the uptempo style of play remains a work in progress for a team that has the players to do so. It’s not because he’s totally against it, but it’s more of trying to find a balance at implementing such an approach without necessarily losing the team’s identity on defense.

“It’s hard to let them (players) buy in to slowing it down (because) when you let them have their heads like, let them go, they really want to go so it’s just the opposite. When I try to fight it to slow down, its hard to get them to buy in. But when we open up the floor, they are all super excited. I,” said the 66-year-old Ginebra coach.

“It wasn’t hard of a transition, but we just have to find a balance between uptempo and still be able to play defense that we historically always play.”