Cone: Break benefits Ginebra, Tropang Giga

Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone welcomes the much-needed weeklong break to rest and prepare for another fierce championship series against familiar rival TNT in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup.

The rematch of the season-opening Governors’ Cup protagonists is set to erupt on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It gives the Kings enough time to recuperate and recover following a five-game semifinals series win over top-seeded NorthPort.

“I think this is actually a good rest for both teams because we’ll be able to regenerate our energy back,” Cone said after Ginebra finished off the Batang Pier, 126-99, in Game 5 Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“When you do that, you end up having a really good series. I think that’s what the fans in the PBA are looking for — a really good series.”

Ginebra desperately needs a ceasefire to give some of its starters time to recover after a grueling three-week schedule.

Resident import Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar and Troy Rosario and even Cone plunged into the semis immediately after an arduous buildup and campaign in the third window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Qualifier.

“I think the break before the finals is important. I’ve been in other finals where we played (semis) and then we had a one-day off and went on to start the finals. That makes it very difficult,” Cone said.

“I don’t think you’ll get high-quality (games). But I expect this to be a high-quality series, largely because of this break that we’re gonna have. I think it’s important.”

The break would also give Rosario time to heal after sustaining a sprained ankle in Game 5.

“Troy went down hard and I don’t know how much it’s gonna affect his play coming down into this (championship) series,” the 25-time PBA champion tactician said.

Rosario twisted his right ankle and was taken out in the third quarter after submitting 11 points, two rebounds and two assists in the rout.

But the forward is confident he’ll be back in top form just in time for the finals rematch against Ginebra’s Governors’ Cup tormentor.

“I just tweaked my ankle in the third. It’s a bit swollen. Good thing we have a week before Game 1. There’s time to recover,” he said.

“It’s a bit high (high ankle sprain). I can still put weight to it which is a good sign,” Rosario added.