ANTIPOLO CITY – LA Tenorio wasn’t the only one who extended a personal record on Sunday night.
Tim Cone coached in his 1,700th PBA game as Barangay Ginebra opened its 2022 Philippine Cup campaign versus Blackwater.
Per league stats chief and Tiebreaker Times columnist Fidel Mangonon III, the league’s most accomplished mentor has appeared that many games since 1989, when he began his head coaching career with Alaska.
Cone is actually aware of all that and couldn’t help but look back to the journey he’s taken, where he has established himself as a luminary with successful stints with the Aces, the Purefoods franchise, and now with the Kings.
“I’ve never missed a game, either, in my career. I just talked to my wife about that because we did see the tweet,” the 24-time champion coach said shortly after their 86-83 escape from the Bossings at the Ynares Center here.
Cone didn’t hide how proud he is to get this far, and added that he won’t be able to do so had it not been for his family’s understanding.
“I’ve been sick a number of times, and still showed up. My kids were born, and still showed up, and my wife wasn’t real pleased, but I did anyway,” said Cone jokingly with a grin, drawing giggles from reporters.
“I mean, there have been reasons for me to miss, but thankfully for my family, I’ve never done that. And, so, it’s a record I’m really proud of.”
Comparing his streak to Tenorio’s, Cone said that the player’s life is definitely much harder.
Photo by PBA Images
“Of course, his job is showing up a lot harder than my job. I show up and sit down, he shows up and runs everywhere for 48 minutes,” he quipped.
“So, my job is easier than his.”
Ginebra’s win had also moved Cone closer to chalking up his 1,000th victory. He is now just 14 wins away from accomplishing such a historic feat.
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