By REYNALD MAGALLON
Barangay Ginebra may have sent San Miguel Beer packing through six games in their semifinals series but that is not to say that the Kings had an easy time against the Beermen.
In fact, it was the opposite if head coach Tim Cone would be asked, noting how they have given almost everything and yet they barely survived in Game 6 with a 102-99 win.
“It took every little ounce of whatever we had left to win that game tonight,” said Cone whose Kings needed a collective effort from guys like Maverick Ahanmisi, Japeth Aguilar, RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson as well as a timely trey from Justin Brownlee inside the final two minutes.
Cone said Ginebra was just lucky to have a little bit of energy against a weary San Miguel who had to go through a wringer against Converge while also juggling duties with the East Asia Super League.
“It’s amazing they had to go through to the wringer with Converge and then they had to play the EASL game and then they had to come and play us. That was our edge throughout the whole series, the fact that we have a little bit more energy than they did,” said Cone.
But even so, it took some prayers in the end game for Ginebra as San Miguel hoisted two four pointers in their final possession that could have won the Beermen the game and force a deciding Game 7.
The Kings though dodged huge bullets as both EJ Anosike and Jericho Cruz both missed their attempts as the time expired.
“It did come down to the last. We were limping to the finish line. We just didn’t have anything. And we were really worried that we would not be able to pull that out and that we have to go into a Game 7,” said Cone.
“Just really thankful we are not going to Game 7,” he added while heaping praises for the Beermen.
“Credit to San Miguel. I know that people talk about their talent but you have to have a guy that’s gonna put that talent together and make things happen. Coach Leo (Austria) did it for a long time and now coach Jorge (Gallent) is continuing that so hats off to them for being as good as they are all the time,” he added.
After overcoming the mighty San Miguel, Ginebra faces up against another powerhouse against TNT in the Finals. More than another marquee duel, the Kings are surely extra motivated against the Tropang Giga who defeated them when the conference was last staged two seasons ago.
