PBA: Tim Cone pleased as Ginebra survives June Mar Fajardo's Game 1 dominance

Tim Cone knows it’s difficult for any team to beat San Miguel when June Mar Fajardo is putting up monster numbers.

Barangay Ginebra on Sunday became among the few to do that feat after pulling off a 99-90 escape in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinals series in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.

That came despite a dominant outing from Fajardo, as the reigning nine-time MVP recorded 27 points, 23 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in a losing cause.

The Gin Kings’ challenges didn’t stop there as Japeth Aguilar and Norbert Torres both racked up five fouls, limiting Ginebra’s frontcourt options throughout the game.

"You don't win very many games when June Mar has, what, 27 points and 23 rebounds. You don't beat San Miguel very often," Cone said following the game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

"Both of our big guys got into foul trouble and they did the best they could, still June Mar gets 27 and 23. Just amazing. He played all fourth quarter too, all 12 minutes of that fourth quarter. So we're happy we're able to pull this one despite June Mar having a big game."

With Fajardo putting on a monster display, Ginebra relied on collective effort led by its bench. 

Only up by one in the final five minutes, RJ Abarrientos fueled an 11-1 blast that completely turned things around for the Gin Kings. The young guard first completed a three-point play and a pair of free throws before setting up Troy Rosario for a layup. 

He then sank another pair of freebies as Stephen Holt converted his own two charities to make it a 97-86 cushion with 1:36 left in the game. 

Abarrientos, who had a dazzling performance in their quarterfinals affair against the twice-to-beat Converge, picked up where he left off and exploded for 23 points along with four rebounds, seven assists, and two steals to help Ginebra draw first blood. 

The win snapped San Miguel’s impressive 10-game winning streak while extending Ginebra’s own streak to eight. But for Tim Cone, that’s of little concern, as he stressed that both teams are back to square one in this new series.

"We were aware but it's a series. It's basically back to zero so the winning streaks, what you've done before doesn't matter anymore when you come into a seven-game series," Cone shared.

"We just know from last year and the years past that this is a great team so we have to play at the top of our game to have a chance to beat them and tonight we did."

—JMB, GMA Integrated News