Tim Cone apologizes after Barangay Ginebra's early playoff exit: 'That was totally my fault'

Coach Tim Cone apologized to Barangay Ginebra fans after the Gin Kings failed to defend their title with a dismal showing in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup.

On Twitter, Thursday, Cone said he takes all the blame for their quarterfinal exit after enduring a loss to twice-to-beat TNT Tropang Giga, whom they edged when they won the 2020 Philippine Cup championship.

"I can't find the words to express our sorrow and embarrassment over our performance in the bubble," the league's winningest coach said.

"We didn't live up to the Ginebra legacy, and that was totally my fault," he added.

I can’t find the words to express our sorrow and embarrassment over our performance in the bubble. We didn’t live up to the Ginebra legacy, and that was totally my fault. I apologize to the Ginebra nation. All I can say is that it won’t happen again as long as I am the coach.

— Tim Cone (@manilacone) September 30, 2021

Ginebra finished the elimination round with an unusual 4-7 win-loss card—a record that set them up with a playoff date against the Phoenix Super LPG for the eighth seed and the right to enter the quarterfinals.

They won the game, 95-85, to arrange a quarterfinal duel with the Tropang Giga but eventually lost to the top seed to formally bow out of contention.

"I apologize to the Ginebra nation. All I can say is that it won't happen again as long as I am the coach," Cone said.

—Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA News