HUMARAP kahapon sa media si Tim Cone sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon mula nang malipat siya bilang head coach ng Barangay Ginebra.
Inamin ng beteranong coach na hindi niya i- naasahang mapupunta siya sa pinakasikat na koponan sa buong bansa lalo na’t maganda naman ang kinahinatnan ng kanyang paggabay sa Star/Purefoods na sister team ng Ginebra.
“The last thing I expected was to be sitting here coaching Ginebra,” aniya.
Tatlo ang pag-aaring koponan ng San Miguel Corporation sa Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) kung saan ang pangatlo ay ang kacha-champion lang na San Miguel Beer.
Nais diumano ng pamunuan ng SMC na makatiukim naman ng titulo ang Ginebra sa ilalim ni Cone.
Sa apat na taon no Cone sa Star/Purefoods ay nabigyan nito ang koponan ng limang kampeonato, kabilang na ang isang pambihirang Grand Slam.
At sa kanyang paglisan sa dating koponan, sinabi niyang hindi ito naging madali para sa kanya.
“I love my players. That’s the hardest part for me is leaving behind the players of Star Hotshots,’’ wika ni Cone.
‘‘The memories, all the adversities we fought through over the last four years, that’s gonna be the hardest part. The fans who are so supportive and awesome, leaving them behind and moving forward is really difficult.”
Huling nanalo ng titulo ang Ginebra noong 2008 Fiesta Conference.
“This whole decision is an organizational decision, trying to do the best for the organization. It’s not that we want to Ginebra to be good and Purefoods to be bad. Purefoods is in a good spot. I feel the farther they get away from the Grand Slam, the more motivated they’re going to get, the more energy they’re gonna get coming back. We’re trying to get them both up there,” dagdag pa ni Cone.