Ginebra Secures Game 1 Victory Against Meralco in the Quarterfinals

In a thrilling encounter, Barangay Ginebra emerged victorious in Game 1 of their quarterfinals series, defeating Meralco 99-92. The team’s head coach, Tim Cone, and star player, Justin Brownlee, shared their insights during the post-game press conference.

Coach Cone noted that the game was a “feeling-out process” (00:33) as this was their first time facing Meralco in this conference. The unfamiliarity extended to certain players on both teams, which made the game more challenging. Despite this, Ginebra managed to adapt quickly, making more decisive plays down the stretch that ultimately secured their win.

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Justin Brownlee also reflected on the adjustments needed to blend with his new teammates (01:34). He acknowledged the challenge of learning each player’s tendencies, especially during the elimination rounds. However, he emphasized the importance of building chemistry and confidence within the team, particularly within their triangle offense, which requires high levels of coordination.

Reflecting on their history with Meralco, Coach Cone recalled how they previously lost a series despite having a lead (03:16). He emphasized that maintaining a lead doesn’t guarantee victory and stressed the need to remain focused throughout the series. This cautious approach indicates that Ginebra is not taking anything for granted, even after securing the Game 1 win.

Brownlee described the matchup against Meralco as a tough but enjoyable challenge (04:20). He praised Meralco for their disciplined and consistent style of play, especially on defense. Despite this, Brownlee expressed excitement about facing such a competitive team, acknowledging the high level of basketball they bring to the court.

A standout moment in the game was Joe Devance’s return to the floor (04:51). Coach Cone praised Devance’s performance during his six minutes of play, highlighting his valuable contributions despite having only one practice session in two years. Cone emphasized Devance’s basketball intelligence and experience, which helped the team manage the minutes of other key players like Japeth Aguilar. His seamless integration into the game was a testament to his understanding of the team’s system and strategy.

With this Game 1 victory, Ginebra has taken an early lead in the series but remains cautious and focused, aware that there’s still much work to be done as they prepare for Game 2.