COACH Tim Cone of reigning champion Ginebra said it best–there’s no use crying over spilled milk after the Kings absorbed a stinging and controversial 91-93 loss to Magnolia in the “Manila Clasico” last Sunday.
“I’m a former Alaska guy. That’s spilled milk. There’s nothing we can do about that. I don’t want a referee in trouble or whatever. It’s unfortunate that it wasn’t called,” Cone said, referring to a non-call on Hotshot Mark Barroca on Scottie Thompson’s drive in the waning seconds.
“But I’m glad the PBA made a stand, and reviewing, that’s what you’re gonna do, review the video, and see what happens. Just like we improve as a team, the PBA tries to improve as an organization,” he added.
Whether the Kings can lick their wounds fast and recover will be known tonight when they tackle winless Rain or Shine in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The game is set at 8 o’clock, with the Kings bent on notching a second win against an equally determined Elasto Painters, still winless after three starts in the season-opening meet.
Phoenix faces Blackwater in the curtain-raiser at 4 o’clock.
Cone is hoping his charges would rediscover their character after they squandered a 26-point first half lead against Magnolia.
“You remember those games and this one’s going to be one that I will remember for a long time. But also, we are going to move forward from it. We’ll figure that out as we move forward. That’s what we are going to do. We have to move forward from it. It’s early in the season,” Cone said.
“We are not going to feel too bad about it. Just move on, learn things from it. We played out of character in the second half. We have to get back into character.”
Import Tony Bishop, former MVP Thompson, Christian Standhardinger, Stanley Pringle, and Maverick Ahanmisi will be counted upon by the Kings to deliver.
Elasto Painters tactician Yeng Guiao admitted his team has to show up with a sense of urgency–including reinforcement DaJuan Summers.
“We already talked and maybe we can talk again and make him realize the window for us to get into the next round is getting smaller,” Guiao said.
Rain or Shine will go into the duel aching to make up for a 98-99 defeat to the Fuel Masters six nights back.
Aside from Summers, the Painters will draw strength from locals Rey Nambatac, Leonard Santillan, Andrei Caracut, and Mac Belo.
