Cone praises Chot for leading Jayson Castro-less TNT back to Finals

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra is entering the upcoming PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals series against TNT as the favorite owing to its stacked roster that now includes fit-again Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray, along with free agent pick up Troy Rosario.

But Gin Kings coach Tim Cone begged to disagree.

"You saw what TNT did. They're extremely ... people don't realize how good a coach Chot Reyes is. He's an outstanding coach," said Cone, moments after Ginebra dispatched top seed NorthPort, 126-99 in Game 5 on Friday night to wrap up their semifinal series, 4-1.

The American mentor said even without veteran star Jayson Castro, out for nine to 12 months due to a knee injury he sustained in Game 2 of TNT's semis series against Rain or Shine, the Tropang Giga managed to find a way to reach the Finals.

TNT won its semis series against Rain or Shine, 4-1.

"They lost a key player (Jayson) and they just kept moving forward," stressed the 67-year-old Ginebra bench tactician.

"We need to play a lot tougher against TNT (because) we're not gonna get any 20-point lead but we gotta learn to play them possession by possession," he added.

The Gin Kings last ruled the Governors' Cup in 2021, before the Tropang Giga ruled the last two editions in 2023 and 2024.

"They're (Tropang Giga) playing with such togetherness and such effort, especially on the defensive side. They're not skipping a beat," Cone said.

Ginebra lost to TNT in the last two Governors' Cup Finals editions.

An interesting subplot is the third Finals face off between TNT's import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and Ginebra's resident reinforcement Justin Brownlee.

Hollis-Jefferson, a cinch to win his third Best Import plum, averaged over 28 points, 12.44 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.8 blocks through 18 games this conference.

Brownlee, meanwhile, averaged 23.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists for Ginebra.