Cone: A lot of work ahead for Ginebra

BARANGAY Ginebra coach Tim Cone is far from satisfied despite Ginebra’s 91-87 win over the New Taipei Kings in an exhibition match dubbed “Macau WUS International Basketball Challenge” in Macau on Wednesday night.

Cone said there’s still “a lot of work ahead” as far as the Gin Kings are concerned shortly after the PBA’s most popular squad hacked out the win.

“The biggest message we got was that we have a lot of work ahead of us. It was a very uneven performance for us, despite the win,” Cone told The Manila Times, whose team used the friendly match to prepare for the PBA Season 49.

The league opens with the Governors’ Cup on August 18.

The American coach, though, liked the collective effort he saw from newly acquired guard Stephen Holt, big man Isaac Go and rookies RJ Abarrientos and Paul Garcia.

Abarrientos tossed in 20 points, including a crucial triple heading into the final two minutes to give Ginebra the needed breathing room with its 84-80 lead.

Holt also glittered with 19 points against the reigning P.League+ champion from Taiwan, while Garcia, selected 34th overall in the recent PBA rookie draft, added seven points, including a crucial three-point play late in the game.

“The collective work ethic of the four guys are unquestioned and that will go a long way,” said the 66-year-old Cone.

Cone also took note of Abarrientos’ solid performance.

“Needless to say, RJ was as good as advertised. No surprises there,” he added.

The former Far Eastern University guard was selected third overall by Ginebra in the recent PBA Draft.