It was a well-fought and character-making drive: Cone
AS BARANGAY GINEBRA relinquished the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown, coach Tim Cone reflected on the campaign that was.
For Mr. Cone, it was a well-fought and character-making drive, even with the disappointing result. Something he felt the fallen champs could surely bring to the table when they take a shot at the PBA’s crown jewel next conference.
“Right now, I like our mix, our guards, our frontline; I think we can match up to just about anybody,” the multi-titled mentor, looking forward to the Philippine Cup hostilities, said after the crowd darlings got swept by San Miguel Beer (SMB) in the best-of-five semis Sunday night.
Mr. Cone’s squad went about this title-retention bid without resident import Justin Brownlee, who was forced out of action by a positive doping case from the Asian Games. Tony Bishop was tapped to take over and in his own way, contributed so much in the Gin Kings’ run up to the Final Four.
“We’re really happy with Tony, we’re happy with the character he brought to our team. I thought because we had him, we developed our character through this series and through this conference,” said Mr. Cone.
Tony’s style of play, he said, helped the locals get better in terms of taking bigger responsibility in crunchtime.
“We’re so used to having a dominant Justin Brownlee so (when) we get into the All-Filipino and we all kind of just looking around, where’s Justin. And I thought everybody stepped up in this conference. We had to have everybody step up.
“Tony was a great import for us, he filled out holes but he wasn’t a dominant import that we can constantly feed him the ball. So our local guys got to step up and that will bode well for the All-Filipino,” Mr. Cone said.
The two-time Grand Slam-winning mentor said he couldn’t ask for more as far as the Gin Kings’ work-rate in the failed defense of the Commissioner’s trophy.
“I’m not going to fault our guys’ effort. We played hard, we stayed in each game. We matched them and battled and battled but just came up short in each game. They (SMB) hit all the big shots down the stretch and we couldn’t hit shots,” he said.
“But you know, when you (get) beat 3-0, the other team’s doing something right. And, they were really well coached and they’re playing at a high level. Tough, tough team. They’re very deep as well.”
With Ginebra out of the tournament, Mr. Cone’s next gig might be Gilas Pilipinas as he’s reportedly the leading candidate for the job moving forward.
“They (SBP) haven’t told me anything. I haven’t got a call. I know that we have talked about it. I think that’s just for another setting, not this one.”
Asked if he’s up for it, Mr. Cone said: “If they did choose me, I’m looking forward to doing it.” — Olmin Leyba