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Ginebra looking to enter win column against Barako

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Coach Tim Cone didn’t feel so bad with their terrible, losing start against the Star Hotshots, optimistic the Barangay Ginebra Kings would eventually hit their strides and contend for the crown.

Cone and his chargers hope to start winning as they battle the Barako Bull Energy in the Halloween presentation of the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Energy also seek a first win in their 5:15 p.m. tussle with the Kings. Coach Koy Banal and his troops dropped their season-opening game versus the NLEX Road Warriors, 85-93.

Cone apologized to the Ginebra diehards for their 78-86 loss to the Star Hotshots Sunday and promised to make them proud at the end of the tourney.

“We will get better. We will be there at the end. We will make the Ginebra fans proud,” said Cone.

The twice grandslam-winning mentor’s first game with the Kings was rather forgettable.

The Hotshots pummeled the Gin Kings, 37-13, in the opening quarter, led by as many as 31 at 44-13 and cruised safely through to hand Jason Webb his first win as a PBA head coach.

“We were totally outcoached and outplayed. My apologies to the great Ginebra kingdom of fans,” said Cone.

Coming as some amount of consolation was the potential shown by Ginebra giants Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar.

Cone said the Ginebra fans saw a glimpse of what’s to come on Slaughter’s and Aguilar’s huge double-double numbers against the Hotshots. The towering duo combined for 54 points and grabbed 16 rebounds each.

“I like this team we have. We have a good future ahead of us,” said Cone, seeing a bright future with his team featuring Slaughter, Aguilar, Mark Caguioa, LA Tenorio, Sol Mercado, Jayjay Helterbrand and promising rookie Scottie Thompson.

Against Barako, the Kings will be up against a number of former Ginebra players in Willy Wilson, JC Intal, Josh Urbiztondo, Mac Baracael, Eman Monfort and James Forrester.

The Energy came out strong against the Road Warriors but tapered off at the finish, dropping the game where they led by 13 early on.

Wilson produced a double-double game with 16 points and 17 rebounds while Intal also had 16 markers in a losing cause.

Needless to say, the Kings are the heavy favorites versus the Energy.

Ginebra has had a winning record against Barako, last losing a Philippine Cup match against the Energy in 2012. (SB)

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