Despite being in the PBA for the last quarter-of-a-century now and counting, there’s still a first time for multi-titled coach Tim Cone.

The two-time Grand Slam champion coach finally got to experience – and be on the winning side of – Barangay Ginebra’s never-say-die spirit on Sunday night after the Gin Kings rallied from 22 points down to pip NLEX, 91-90, in the Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

“Our guys didn’t give up on the game, especially our second unit,” Cone told reporters. “We just had a lot of heroes out there tonight and I’m just really proud of all of them.”

Cone, who completed Triple Crown sweeps with Alaska and San Mig, went to his seat in the third period and appeared to have quit coaching the Kings, who lagged behind, 53-75, late in the third period after several spurts by the Road Warriors.

And the no-quit, all-go attitude that has made Ginebra the most popular team in the country since they heyday of Robert Jaworski in the mid-1980s, came to fore with Cone just going along for the ride.

“This is the first time I’ve seen that never-say-die attitude,” Cone said after rookie Scottie Thompson and reserve center Dave Marcelo ignited the rally. “It’s the first time I’ve been on this side of it.

“It’s not about the coaches, it’s the players and the fans who never gave up,” he explained. “I feel I don’t deserve to be here. Boyet (Fernandez of NLEX) coached a great game.”

Thompson came off the bench late in the third period when Cone couldn’t get anything from his superstar veterans, and the former NCAA MVP delivered, finishing with 14 points that was highlighted by the marginal free throws with 10 seconds remaining.

The bad thing about Thompson’s night, though, was that he wasn’t able to finish the game after injuring his right shoulder with 2.1 ticks to go after a looseball scramble.

The extent of his injury will be determined after an MRI after the game, and Cone certainly hopes that it’s not that serious.

“It’s the rotator cuff on his shoulder,” Cone said. “It depends on whether it popped out. He’s a prized possession for us. We’ll make sure we take care of him.”

Greg Slaughter still went on to pace the Kings with 18 points, but the 7-foot center, together with fellow twin tower Japeth Aguilar, weren’t on the floor when the rally – which drove the fans crazy – happened.

It was Marcelo who carried the fight in the middle for Cone, shooting all 10 of his points in the final two periods.

Meanwhile, Barako Bull bounced back from what coach Koy Banal described as their “worst game” with a thorough manhandling of Star, 101-83, in the first game.

Josh Urbiztondo scored 24 points and Jeric Fortuna tossed in all 14 of his total in the fourth as the Energy rebounded from an upset loss to lightweight Blackwater to improve to 5-5 and stay in the hunt for a twice-to-beat privilege.

Up against a foe that is far better on paper than the Elite, Barako Bull came up with its best even with gunslinger RR Garcia sitting out a second straight contest because of a dislocated right shoulder.

“We believed that after playing our worst game, the best was to come for us,” Banal went on. “I believe that this is our best game so far. I’m glad the players responded,, especially the veterans.”

Mick Pennisi also finished with 14 like Fortuna with Mark Barroca pacing the Hotshits with 17 markers.

Former two-time MVP James Yap had 12 points but the other feared swingman in the Star roster, PJ Simon, was scoreless for the first time this season after having come into the contest as the Hotshots’ second-leading scorer with an average of close to 12 points.

The Energy will close out against Alaska to land in the upper half of the bracket come the first phase of the quarterfinals, that match to happen on Saturday also at the Big Dome in Cubao.