Following another disappointing finish last Sunday, Ginebra San Miguel coach Frankie Lim remains confident of his team’s chances of making the playoffs in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The team dropped to 3-6 after a heartbreaking 102-99 defeat to Meralco and the Kings are on a ‘must-win’ situation in their lasttwo games to have a chance of moving to the next round.
Ginebra takes on Barako Bull on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and then tackles newcomer NLEX on the final day of elimination of this season-ending conference also at the Big Dome.
“Kailangan talunin muna namin ang Barako Bull bago namin isipin yung last game,” said Lim.
“Mahirap… pero may pag-asa pa naman,” added Lim.
If and when the popular squad fails to advance to the quarterfinals, it will be the first for the franchise in 25 conferences – or since the 2005-06 Fiesta Cup under coach Siot Tanquingcen.
And if that happens, league observers are counting on a likely scenario – another potential coaching change.
The last time the team won a PBA championship was in 2008 Fiesta Cup with mentor Jong Uichico at the helm, while the last time Ginebra played in the finals was in 2013 Commissioner’s Cup with coach Alfrancis Chua at the helm.
When the charismatic Chua stepped down after the finals series with Alaska, the team had several coaching changes with Ato Agustin taking the role twice, and in between was Jeff Cariaso.
Lim, who arrived at Ginebra last conference as consultant, was elevated as coach prior to the Governors’ Cup. (Waylon Galvez)