Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone with RJ Abarrientos during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 7 against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Tim Cone had little to say about the opportunity his team lost. He was very clear, however, where they lost it.
Barangay Ginebra’s veteran coach watched in silence as San Miguel Beer celebrated its Game 7 triumph Wednesday night at Araneta Coliseum, ending the Gin Kings’ PBA Philippine Cup campaign.
READ: PBA: San Miguel beats Ginebra in Game 7, sets up Finals duel vs TNT
“I don’t really have any thoughts at this point,” Cone admitted. “We played a terrible fourth quarter. We played terrible down the stretch.”
Ginebra had led by as much as 11 but faltered late, allowing San Miguel to trim the deficit to 73-66 heading into the final frame. By then, Cone already sensed trouble.
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 7 against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“We really lost the game at the end of the third when we gave them back their momentum,” he said.
Chris Ross pounced, anchoring a patented Beermen fourth-quarter run that sealed their ticket to a third straight Finals appearance. Cone, ever gracious in defeat, tipped his hat to Leo Austria’s squad.
HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 7 – Ginebra vs San Miguel
“You have to give credit to coach Leo. He went to his veterans—he went to Chris Ross,” Cone said. “June Mar [Fajardo] played 42 minutes on one leg. Sometimes, you just have to tip your cap. They came out and played.”
San Miguel’s experience showed in the clutch, while Ginebra, aiming for a third straight Finals appearance, came apart in the game’s most crucial stretch.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone after losing to San Miguel in seven games. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/74uQnFUiOF
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) July 9, 2025
“I feel terrible,” Cone said. “But that’s how it goes.”
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
As Ginebra licks its wounds, the Beermen move forward, eyeing yet another crown—while TNT remains in contention for a rare Grand Slam.
The two flagship franchises have a shared history when it comes to Grand Slams.
In 2011, San Miguel (then known as Petron), halted TNT (Talk ’N Text) in seven games of what was the season-ending Governors’ Cup title series. The San Miguel Corporation club thwarted what would have been a triple-crown feat by the MVP Group-owned team.
