GINEBRA coach Tim Cone is not pushing the panic button even if the Kings are having a hard time pulling off big wins over supposedly lighter foes. He is convinced those hard-earned triumphs will only serve them in good stead.

“It was a struggle again for us tonight, but in some ways, these are great for us because they’re tough games,” Cone said. “They toughen us, and we have to play well down the stretch, and we have to defend well down the stretch.
“In that regard, it’s good that we would like to play better. We would like to play better on both sides of the floor, and we will continue to battle for that,” he added.
Cone spoke after Ginebra essayed a come-from-behind 90-87 victory over Blackwater last Sunday night for its second straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Import Tony Bishop wound up with a game-high 25 points, on top of 11 rebounds for the Kings, while Maverick Ahanmisi chipped in 20 markers, six boards and five assists.
Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle also added 16 and 10 points, respectively, as Ginebra battled back from an early 17-point deficit, pulling through anew after a 107-102 decision over Rain or Shine four nights back and forging a three-way tie for second with Meralco and Phoenix with 3-1 marks.
The Bossing absorbed to their fourth loss in a row, including a 106-111 defeat to the Fuel Masters last Friday for a 1-4 slate.
Cone maintained the Kings could only get better with new reinforcement Bishop and off-season acquisition Ahanmisi still adjusting to his system.
“We got basically two guys in the starting line-up that are new in everything we do–that’s Mav and Tony. So, we’re still working to try to get everybody into a fit,” Cone said.
“Both Mav and Tony are playing brilliantly despite not knowing what they’re doing so hopefully they’ll even get better when they do know what they’re doing so hopefully, we’ll see.”
Former MVP Scottie Thompson finished the tiff after Blackwater center Bradwyn Guinto landed on his left knee in a loose ball battle at the 3:57 mark of the second quarter.
Thompson had seven points, three caroms, and six dimes.
With star forward Jamie Malonzo out (wrist), Cone gave plaudits to rookie Ralph Cu, tabbed 11th in the second round of the last Draft, for his effort and hustle despite going scoreless.
“We all love Ralph. His demeanor is fantastic for a guy that’s coming off the bench. He’s a super nice guy. He’s quiet, but he’s got a good eye. He sees the floor really well, he makes nice passes, and he makes really good decisions,” he said.