Despite injuries, Ginebra remains potent
We just have to put our blinders on and not worry about the name in front of the jersey. We just have to go out there and beat them
With the grueling playoffs about to start, defending Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup titleholder Ginebra remains a livewire unit despite the absence of several key players due to injuries, head coach Tim Cone said.
Even without Stanley Pringle, Jared Dillinger, Joe Devance and Aljon Mariano, Cone said the Kings still boast of Jeff Chan, Chistian Standhardinger, LA Tenorio, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar and Justin Brownlee.
With Ginebra still oozing with talent, Cone feels it can still compete at a high level and key to success is not minding which team the Kings will be dealing with in the next stage.
“We don’t know who we will play against. We just have to put our blinders on and not worry about the name in front of the jersey. We just have to go out there and beat them,” Cone said.
Ginebra currently sits at sixth place with a 6-5 slate
“This team is capable of winning. We have the talent. We’re missing Stanley, Jared and no one talks about how we missed Aljon. But we still have a lot of talent left to do what we need to do in the playoffs.”
The placing of the No. 3 to 8 seeds are still being fought among teams with only two more game days left in the elimination round as squads battle for the two remaining twice-to-beat incentive.
The Kings’ best chance of getting the incentive is getting fourth after the elimination round is over.
Last Sunday, Chan showcased his shooting prowess, knocking down 15 points, including 12 from beyond the arc in Ginebra’s 104-93 victory over Rain or Shine.
“We haven’t really had anybody take hold of that fifth guy on the floor and tonight Jeff did,” Cone said.
“Jeff grabbed it and took it. He played well on both sides of the floor, hit some big shots, and if he can do that it opens up things for everybody else.”
Expect to see a lot of Chan taking those shots in the crucial phase of the conference.