Having Pia Wurtzbach inspired Barangay Ginebra, says Tim Cone

The Gin Kings had their Queen on Sunday night, and she had been more than enough to serve as an inspiration.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel head coach Tim Cone bared that having Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach as their muse inspired the crowd favorites to perform well in the PBA’s 44th season opener at the Philippine Arena.

True enough, Ginebra showed its might –thanks to their well-deployed attack spearheaded by Japeth Aguilar — and dismantled the new-look TNT KaTropa, 90-79, to begin their 2019 Philippine Cup campaign on the right foot.

“We were inspired. Two hours in a locker room with her, we were inspired,” said the two-time Grand Slam coach moments after their victory. “But that’s also what makes the opening day fun, to come here and see all that.”

Cone, a winner of 21 championships in the league, admitted that even he got a bit star-struck with Wurtzbach.

“She didn’t know who I was, but I certainly knew who she was.

“She was in a locker room for like an hour, so we were all giving her glances and trying not to,” the 61-year-old beamed. “But we were. So, it’s fun having her there.”

Even newly-minted Most Improved Player Scottie Thompson was in awe in seeing Wurtzbach, the third Filipina to be crowned Miss Universe.

“Nakakatuwa kasi si Queen P, iba talaga yung muse namin. Meron din naman kaming Prince, si Prince Caperal. So Pia, the Queen meets the Prince,” quipped Thompson.

“Motivated din kami, kasi Ms. Universe yung muse namin.”