Cone rues missed Game Two opportunities, but does not blame players

B-MEG coach Tim Cone couldn’t shake the feeling that his team let Game Two of their Commissioner’s Cup finals series against Talk ‘N Text get away.

“We shot ourselves in the foot. Losses such as this one are hard to swallow, especially when a game is stolen from you and it was indeed stolen from us,” said Cone.

The Llamados went 1-of-6 in the last 1:38 of the game, made two crucial blunders, and squandered a game that could have put them two games ahead of the defending champion Tropang Texters.

B-MEG watched as their potential heroes turned into goats in the final moments of the game.

Denzel Bowles missed three shots — two field goals and a free throw – while also turning the ball over after a rebound play with B-MEG trailing, 100-99.

James Yap also made a bad play in the dying seconds, taking an ill-advised attempt off an inbound play that spoiled his conference-high 25-point output.

Cone, however, refused to blame either of his stars.

“We had our chances in the next plays. Denzel even had a crucial turnover when he should have called a timeout,” said Cone. “But mental lapses could happen to any player.”

Now the series is tied at 1-all and momentum has shifted to the side of the Tropang Texters.

“The important thing is to stay focused and come back in Game Three. It’s down to a best-of-five series. The last best-of-five series, we did a great job and hope we could do it again. Sayang lang, we could have gone two games. The good thing is, Talk ‘N Text was only able to tie the series. The worse thing that could happen for us was went down 0-1 then lost Game Two like this way,” added Cone.

Still, Cone was optimistic about his team’s chances for the rest of the series, and was in fact generally happy despite the loss.

“Except in the last two or three minutes, I have nothing to complain. But games such as this one will make us better, stronger,” added Cone.

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