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Cone reiterates toughness of clinchers anew as Ginebra goes for jugular vs SMB

Ginebra can ice the series on Wednesday night. Dennis Acosta (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Coach Tim Cone is once again in a familiar situation as Ginebra now holds a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.

And once again, he stresses that winning Game 6 will be a tall order.

"I always say, 'Close-out games are the hardest ones to win,' because the ferocity of the other team is to try to stay alive," said Cone, the league's winningest coach in terms of championships.

Staying alive is indeed the battle cry of Coach Leo Austria as San Miguel tries to force a rubber match on Friday night.

"We're not yet out, and this is a championship game," Austria said. "It's a matter of how to win in the next game, and we have a chance."

Cone can clinch his 21st PBA title on Wednesday night as the Barangay will try to finish off the Beermen at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Game time is at 7 p.m.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno