Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings coach Tim Cone during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Meralco Bolts. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra coach Tim Cone literally had no words after the Gin Kings’ loss to Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup.
In fact, he stormed out of Araneta Coliseum immediately after the final buzzer on Friday night.
READ: PBA: Tim Cone happy for fans, voices concern over Ginebra’s latest win
With just a few seconds remaining, Cone was called for a second infraction of a technical foul after storming the court as he complained to the game officials. He was challenging the Bolts’ inbound play involving Brandon Bates and Cliff Hodge in the dying seconds of the game.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone immediately exited the Big Dome after being ejected in the Gin Kings’ bout with Meralco.
He declined to talk about his ejection or the game itself. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/p7El0EZ1nJ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 30, 2025
Initially, Bates was given the ball to inbound before he let it go to give Hodge the duty of inbounding the ball.
Cone pleaded for an explanation before ultimately being slapped with a technical foul that led to his ejection just as the Bolts sealed their 82-73 win over the Gin Kings.
READ: PBA: Meralco secures quarterfinals berth after edging Ginebra
If you ask Meralco coach Luigi Trillo, though, he certainly understood where Cone’s emotion was coming from.
“You expect that not only from coach Tim but also from coach Nenad and our guys,” said Trillo.
Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone slams his board during a timeout in frustration over officiating before his ejection in Friday’s loss to rival Meralco | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/MEr4MZH1Dg
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 30, 2025
“Until the end, he’s going to fight. That’s the high character of what he does. Even if they’re down 10 or 12, that’s his mindset. When you do that to your guys, it comes back so I understand where he’s coming from.”
As it stands, the Gin Kings are still in contention for a twice-to-beat advantage with a 5-3 record.
Ginebra will have 24 hours to recover before going on a rivalry game against Magnolia on Sunday at the same venue.
