Even though Barangay Ginebra’s loss on Sunday was upsetting, head coach Tim Cone rather anticipated that the team would eventually tire from the demanding schedule.

Coach Tim Cone on Magnolia vs Ginebra

However, Cone is looking at the bright side because he did not think Ginebra would have a chance to go undefeated with their demanding schedule of four games in seven days.

Cone quoted team strength and conditioning coach Kirk Collier as saying, it was a perfect storm of negativity for them, in the dugout following the 118-88 loss to Magnolia in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

He hate to say it, but that night, team was extremely worn out. People can see it in the body language, their lack of activity. They simply were not moving over the floor. The ball is not moving at all. Unfortunately, the ball was going slowly. In every one of their rotations, they were late. A perfect storm has formed.  They simply out-physicaled and out-energized us after they came out.

According to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon, Ginebra hadn’t taken a beating like this since the Gin Kings lost to NorthPort 120-94 in Game One of the 2019 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on December 14, 2014.

Cone, however, made no excuses and chose to focus on the positive aspects of their first four games’ results as they began their title retention bid. Even he had not anticipated this situation after coming off the enormous high of defeating Bay Area in the Commissioner’s Cup finals.

Cone had been anticipating this in one of the games. Before the stretch began, he believed that a score of 3-1 or 2-2 would make him content. However, as they reached 3-0, they became ungrateful and sought to go 4-0. Disappointment now comes from failing to go 4-0 despite having a chance to do so, the coach shared.

The Gin Kings were able to close the gap to as little as 15 after losing 59-37 at the break. However, Ginebra was currently out of gas.

After a much-needed break, Ginebra will return to play on Friday to take on San Miguel.