If there is any positive in the setback Barangay Ginebra San Miguel sustained in Game 1 of the Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beer, at least in happened in the series opener.
Not in a crucial match like a Game 7.
In their first finals appearance in an All-Filipino conference, the Gin Kings were badly beaten as the three-peat seeking Beermen scored a 109-82 win Friday night at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.
“It was a real clunker,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone, whose team fell early in the game and by as many as 36 points, 85-49, when Gabby Espinas made a three-point play midway in the third quarter.
“Certainly, it was embarrassing and frustrating… thankfully it was Game 1 and not Game 7,” added Cone.
San Miguel defeated TNT, 93-83, while Ginebra edged Star, 89-76.
However, while the Beermen came out roaring in Game 1 of the finals, the Kings were flat right at the opening quarter as SMB grabbed a 23-point advantage (35-12) behind the combined efforts of reigning three-time MVP winner June Mar Fajardo and Chris Ross.
Overall, the Kings converted just 37-of-94 shots from the field (39%), while the Beermen made 42-of-79 (53%).
“But, as in life, it’s not how hard you get knocked down, it’s how you get back on your feet that counts. Truly, that was a difficult loss to handle, but if anything our guys have proven is that they are resilient and tough-minded.”