In a pivotal Game 1 of the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals, Coach Tim Cone expressed his dissatisfaction with Barangay Ginebra’s performance, particularly their discipline. They faced off against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, losing a hard-fought match 115-111 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Game Highlights and Key Players
Despite leading by 10 points in the fourth quarter, the Gin Kings were unable to maintain their advantage. Cone lamented, “They hit the bigger shots, and we played their game tonight.” Justin Brownlee was a standout player, scoring 32 points, while RJ Abarrientos contributed 21 points, including several crucial three-pointers.
- Final Score: Ginebra 111, Rain or Shine 115
- Location: Ynares Center, Antipolo
- Leading Scorers:
- Justin Brownlee: 32 points
- RJ Abarrientos: 21 points
Concerns Over Discipline
Coach Cone underscored the need for improvement, stating that repeated mistakes could jeopardize Ginebra’s chances in the series. He emphasized the importance of discipline and tougher play, asserting, “We’ve got to be better, we’ve got to be more disciplined.”
Next Steps
The Gin Kings will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for Game 2, scheduled for Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. A loss in the upcoming game would put them in a challenging 0-2 deficit.
Ginebra aims to adjust their strategy and approach to avoid similar mistakes. Coach Cone is aware that continuing on this path could lead to further setbacks in the semifinals.
