PBA: Ginebra coach Tim Cone laments 'poor effort' vs. Rain or Shine

The final score wasn't the biggest issue for Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.

It was the effort---or lack thereof---that stood out most for the veteran mentor, who labeled Ginebra's performance in its 110-99 loss to Rain or Shine as the team's 'worst' effort in a while.

"Really, really, really poor effort tonight. Worst we've had in a long time," a frustrated Cone told reporters on the heels of the 11-point defeat.

Save for back-to-back four-point baskets from import Riley Grigsby that gave the Gin Kings a 21-17 lead in the first quarter, Ginebra struggled to gain any momentum for much of the game.

The Gin Kings, who won it all in the previous Commissioner's Cup, even trailed by as much as 18 points after getting torched by the likes of Caelan Tiongson, Adrian Nocum, Jhonard Clarito, and Elasto Painters import Aaron Fuller.

The Elasto Painters controlled the glass with a 46-37 rebounding advantage and moved the ball better as well, tallying 29 assists compared to Ginebra's 26. Ginebra also committed 21 turnovers, which Rain or Shine converted to 27 points.

"They outhustled us in all departments tonight," Cone added.

"They had a greater sense of urgency. Somehow I'm going to have to try to light a fire under our players, especially our key guys. They've got to come out and play better."

Cone said Grigsby, who tallied 25 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in the loss, has done his part but stressed he's going to need more production from the local crew, which is still missing Scottie Thompson due to a hamstring injury.

"Sometimes coming off a championship, it's tough getting guys going. It's like pulling teeth tonight. They get everybody on the same page and working hard," Cone added.

"Riley's doing enough for us to win, but everybody else has to contribute at this point. So, just keep working on it. We feel we'll be there in the end, but I'm not surprised we're going through struggles right now."

With the loss, Ginebra fell to a 1-2 card in Group B, but Cone isn't losing hope just yet that the Gin Kings will eventually get their acts together moving forward.

"But eventually, we'll figure it out. Generally, we always do. Right now, it's like pulling teeth, trying to get guys to come out and focus, walk into what we do, and play hard. That's it."

—JMB, GMA News