Tim Cone wary of Rain or Shine as Ginebra returns to action after title win

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Geneva Village Coach Tim Cone. PBA PICTURES

MANILA, Philippines — Coach Tim Cone hopes Barangay Ginebra can shake off the effects after the euphoria of the championship and the busy schedule of the PBA Governors’ Cup campaign that finally begins on Sunday against Rain or Shine.

The Gin Kings will be three weeks removed from taking the Commissioner’s Cup crown over the visiting Bay Area Dragons when they begin their tough stretch at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“It’s definitely a little tough coming off the championship,” Cone said Saturday. “The schedule is compressed, the training and preparation time is shortened, and there is always the phenomenon of drunkenness that always hits.”

Ginebra will start the conference with six games in 14 days against NLEX (February 8), NorthPort (February 10), Magnolia (February 12), San Miguel Beer (February 17) and Blackwater (February 19).

The 12-day break will continue due to the Fiba World Cup Qualifying window where import players Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo will wear Gilas Pilipinas uniforms before Ginebra resumes their duties on March 1.

Meralco will be Ginebra’s first opponent in another tough round, this time with five games in seven days. Phoenix is next on March 3, followed by Converge (March 5) and Terrafirma (March 8) before facing TNT on March 17 to wrap up the elims.

Cone is wary of Rain or Shine, the same team that spoiled Ginebra’s debut in the last conference and won 93-71, although coach Yeng Guiao is still looking for a way out of the 0-3 slump.

“Last conference we played as well [Rain or Shine] in the opening game and nearly 30 points,” Cone recalled.

“I hope this time we will be more careful. Coach Yeng’s team is always ready to fight in any situation.”

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