Cone to play Go, Adamos through their strengths

ISAAC Go and Ben Adamos, two big men role players, will be tasked to take over the spot of Barangay Ginebra’s previous star center Christian Standhardinger when the league’s most popular team begins the new PBA season on August 18.

But head coach Tim Cone doesn’t see it much of a problem and is confident that his new players will be able to fill up the voids left by Standhardinger and veteran guard Stanley Pringle.

Standhardinger and Pringle were traded by Ginebra to Terrafirma in exchange for Isaac Go and Stephen Holt, two former top overall rookie picks, and the Dyip’s No.3 pick in the 49th season draft, which turned out to be RJ Abarrientos.

“They’re not Christian, no doubt about it,” Cone told sportswriters when asked about the roles of Go and Adamos, a pair of 6-foot-7 players, who’ll cover up the huge spot left by Standhardinger.

“Christian was an absolutely dominant player. We can just simply go to him throughout the game and he can win it for us. That’s not the case for an Isaac or a Ben. They’re gonna have to be more of a role playing-type guys and we’re going to try to play them through their strengths. But obviously, they’re not going to replace Christian. That’s not our plan.”

Instead, Cone is going to utilize his new look Ginebra squad, which brings in five new players to make up for the absence of its injured key players – Scottie Thompson (back issues), Jamie Malonzo (ACL and PCL injuries) and Jeremiah Gray (ACL tear).

Aside from Go, Adamos, Holt and Abarrientos, another new player brought in by Ginebra is rookie swingman Paul Garcia, who caught the fancy of the entire Ginebra squad with his solid performance during the team’s exhibition game against the New Taipei Kings a few weeks ago.(RJ)