Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone during Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT Tropang Giga. The Gin King lost in overtime, 87-83. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra coach Tim Cone was one of the first guys to leave Smart Araneta Coliseum following the Gin Kings’ loss in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the hands of TNT.
As tough as it was swallowing an 87-83 loss—in overtime in Game 7, no less—to fumble the chance at the championship, Cone gave credit where credit was due and tipped his hat to back-to-back champions, the Tropang Giga.
HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals – Ginebra vs TNT Game 7
“They made the big plays down the stretch. That’s all I have to say, what else do I have to say?” said Cone to reporters followed by a shrug after the Friday night classic.
“They deserved it more than we did in a classic Finals with an overtime during the seventh game, I don’t remember that happening before.”
TNT players celebrate after a big shot by Glenn Khobuntin in Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Cone had every right to be disappointed with his squad’s showing in the best-of-seven series, especially since the Gin Kings held a 3-2 lead and couldn’t find the finishing kick.
After the Tropang Giga’s gargantuan win, coincidentally with an identical score, in Game 6, Ginebra just crumbled at the hands of coach Chot Reyes and company.
READ: PBA Finals: Game 7 ‘never just another game’ for Ginebra’s Tim Cone
But Ginebra didn’t go down without a fight with a late-game rally highlighted by Justin Brownlee’s cold-blooded triple from the top of the key to force overtime at 79-all.
Brownlee’s heroics, though, aren’t enough to give Cone at least something to smile about after a crushing setback.
Coach Tim Cone briefly congratulates TNT after winning the #PBAFinals. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/W7Q3oYcOiy
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 28, 2025
“I don’t think much about it right now because we lost. I’m not going to be thrilled about anything at this point. I’m not a really good loser, let’s put it that way.”
“Bottomline is we lost, they deserve it and they deserve that celebration.”
Ginebra as limited to just four points in the extra period, unable to match TNT’s firepower headlined by eventual Finals MVP, Rey Nambatac.
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Brownlee went down swinging as he finished with a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds.
With the loss, Ginebra filed to snap its two-year title drought. The last title the Gin Kings won was in 2023 Commissioner’s Cup at the expense of former guest team, the Bay Area Dragons.
