‘We didn’t play to our identity’ – Ginebra coach Tim Cone

MANILA, Philippines – Tim Cone didn't mince words after losing a series-shifting win in the PBA Governors Cup Finals last Wednesday.
 
After falling short to the Meralco Bolts, the famed tactician noted that the Gin Kings were barely the squad that made it this far in the conference.
 
"We didn't play to our identity," he said. "It's the wrong time to step out of our identity."
 
"I was upset for 48 minutes," Cone bared. "Defensively, we were not good. We gave up 107 points – that's just too many."
 
And the PBA winningest coach expressed that they leaned a little too much on their foreign reinforcement, Justin Brownlee. 
 
"It's obvious that we're too Justin-reliant," he said.
 
Brownlee, who finished 42 in the game, buoyed Ginebra as the game entered the homestretch. The American import scored 11 markers in just a little over two minutes. In the same period, Meralco
mounted a
barrage of shots from the 3-point territory – which eventually proved to be the turning point of the game. 
 
And as the Kings try to secure an equalizer tonight, Brownlee believes Ginebra should draw production from able-bodied King on the floor.
 
"We need to get those guys going," he said, especially referring to Japeth Aguilar. "Whenever those guys have a big game, we usually don't lose."
 
Cone, too, believes it's high time that they get back on track, as they risk going to a 1-3 hole in the series.
 
"If we've forgotten (our identity), then we gotta remember it," he said. "Or this thing's gonna get away from us."
 
But in the same breath, the Grand Slam mentor--who also takes on another counterpart Norman Black--made it clear that he is not disheartened.
 
"I'm really disappointed with our play ... But I'm not discouraged. It's too early to be discouraged."
 
The Kings will try to level the playing field tonight at the Araneta Coliseum, shortly after the Leo Awards set at 7 p.m.