As the confetti rained on the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday evening, coach Tim Cone marveled at the 20,490-strong audience that had trooped the venue. The winningest head coach in league history could not believe that they had just outlasted the team he calls “the best in league history”.
“First of all, I still think they are still the best team. They are going to have a lot of championships with June Mar [Fajardo] there and that team,” shared Cone.
But Ginebra did not just have to overcome the San Miguel Beermen in these last four months.
The Gin Kings figured in a slow start that saw them fall to a record of 1-5. And just as he has done in the past with the San Mig Coffee Mixers, he taught his team the lesson of enduring.
“There’s so many ‘who would’ve thought it’ moments in this conference.
“We were one and five, and who would have even thought that we’d make the playoffs? It’s funny because I had my best friend was visiting from New York. He’s my best man at my wedding, he was the best man at my wedding. He says, ‘I’m coming to Manila’ and he stayed with me. He was my best childhood friend, we grew up together here. And we were 1-5, and I said when you come, I’ll have free time,” shared Cone about the grind he and the team went through. “Suddenly he arrives, and it was Game 1 of the Finals. So I barely got to see him. He stayed at my house but I barely got to see him. So again, who would’ve thought that we would be all the way there.
“And then, when we got matched up with San Miguel, who would’ve thought that we’ve been able to win this series, and who would have thought that we can win it in six games?,” added Cone.
“Just… you know, I’m just, I’m amazed. I’m amazed at the resilience of our players, the fight and the battle.”
But if there’s one group that made it all possible, Cone acknowledged that it was the fans who continued to push them when they were down and out in this series.
“It’s all these people here that made this happen. You led us to this championship, I don’t know what we would have done without you,” said Cone, who won his 21st overall crown – his fifth in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Twenty-four years, I was always trying to beat Ginebra. Mahirap na mahirap so I’m so thankful that I’m on your side. I love being the coach of Ginebra.”
