A Final Legacy

 

As I opened my twitter page, I was surprised at the first news feed that was displayed. It was a tweet from Patricia Hizon that caught my attention. It was the most surprising 7 words that I had read from twitter throughout the week.

“Tim Cone and Alaska Aces parted ways”

Wow.

A legacy has finally come to an end.

I started watching basketball at the age of 7. It was that time I was an avid fan of San Miguel Beer. During the 90’s, I used to cry whenever San Miguel loses to their archrival team. It was also that time I witnessed a PBA team achieved a Grand Slam. And their victim, it was San Miguel.

Guess, which team that, was? It was Alaska.

Their coach? The Legendary Tim Cone.

During those days, I hate that guy. I hate his guts. I hate everything he brings to Alaska. I hate how he developed Johnny Abarrientos,Lastimosa,Hawkins and even Juinio to their full potential and in return, beating my favorite team to the ground. But as years go by, I started to admire his coaching skills. Imagine, after all these years, his most dangerous weapon for the past 2 decades still lives on. And that is his triangle offense.

Now, he’s gone.

Several players owe their big break to Tim Cone. Cone molded Abarrientos into the best point guard of the league, good enough to almost play in the NBA. Lastimosa and Hawkins shined under Cone for numerous years. Willie Miller, coming from MBA, was developed by Cone into a superstar. Kenneth Duremdes, the seldom used forward from Pop Cola, was traded to Alaska and instantly, he became “Captain Marbel” under Cone. Jeffrey Cariaso, who was a bench warmer during his time with Mobiline, became a key cog during the grand slam year of Alaska. And who would forget just recently, LA Tenorio, Cyrus Baguio and Joe De Vance earned a humongous paycheck, thanks particularly to the big break Tim Cone gave them.

Who in the history of PBA coaches has ever done this? Not even the great Baby Dalupan or the gay Chot Reyes.

As they say, Phil Jackson walked away. Tim Cone followed him. But there is one big difference between these two. Cone only coached ONE team. Phil Jackson needed two teams, two great shooting guard and two big men to win championships (MJ-Kobe,Shaq-Gasol).

For Cone, all he needed was 2 talented point guards in two decades to win multiple championships. It was Abarrientos and Tenorio.

See the difference between a born winner by staying with one team and a trying hard to be a winner by joining elite teams?

Definitely, Cone will be missed. His tantrums on the court will surely be reminisced. His post game conference with his Tagalog slang will always be remembered. His coaching phrase of “all right” will be look out by the players. And his coaching legacy will remain forever.

I was fortunate enough that my final game that I watched live in the PBA was an Alaska game, a semis game against Rain or Shine. I sat behind the bench of Alaska. On my outmost right were Ria Tanjuatco Trillo and the daughters of Jolas. It was that time I was lucky enough to hear the coaching styles of Cone. It was an amazing experience.

If only I know that it would be that game that I would last see him coach in person, then I might get his autograph.

One thing’s for sure. PBA was different for the past 22 years with Tim Cone.

And believe me, PBA will not be the same this coming season. For a good man has walked away from the sport and a franchise, a franchise that drove him away thanks to their gay executive Joaqui Trillo.

Maybe Trillo and Pangilinan must hang out.. At their favorite hang out place… a gay bar.

Care to join, Gary Valenciano?