Cone does not want history to repeat itself

MANILA, Philippines – Despite being up 3-1 in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, San Mig coach Tim Cone is still worried.

The Mixers on Friday survived another close encounter in Game Four, this time, losing Marc Pingris to an eye injury and had to anxiously watch Paul Lee muffed a potential game-tying trey at the buzzer.

“I thought Paul Lee’s shot would go in and we would go into overtime. We’re fortunate again to win the match,” said Cone.

“We won the battle tonight and hopefully we don’t lose the war with Ping badly injured,” said Cone. “We don’t know what exactly happened to his eye, but obviously it’s a huge blow for us.”

Pingris, however, was assured by the team’s resident physician Dr. Raffy Sanchez that he could play in Game Five.

But Cone is still bracing for the Painters’ comeback.  

“We have to keep working and keep pushing especially against this Rain or Shine team,” Cone said.

Cone’s worries are warranted. After all, the past two games could have gone either way. And the American mentor isn’t forgetful of his past.

“You can’t pat yourself on the back. I know there’s a lot of talk about how few teams come back. But I was one of the few (coaches) that lost (a 3-1) lead. So we have to keep pushing,” Cone reminded the reporters after the game.

Cone once lost a 3-1 series lead in the past. Ironically, it was against the team that he now handles when a James Yap-led Purefoods still coached by Ryan Gregorio came back from 1-3 deficit in the semifinals of the 2005-06 Philippine Cup to go all the way.

Yap, who starred in that comeback team, was reminded by Cone during their post-game huddle in the locker room.

“Ini-example nga ni coach (Tim) kanina yung nangyari sa Alaska,” Yap said.

It was in that season when Yap won his first PBA MVP award as he led Purefoods to the championship opposite Red Bull, who was then handled by now Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“Ahead sila 3-1, tapos kami yung kalaban. Nasilat pa sila. So hindi pa guarantee ito na mag-cha-champion [kami],” Yap warned.

For the two-time MVP, who scored 17 points and has regained his shooting touch in this Finals, the key is for them not to think of the pressure of closing out the series.

 â€œStay focused pa rin [dapat], then walang mag-relax.”