This PBA season was something different.
Though there was just one conference, each team faced a much harder challenge compared to a normal season — living and playing inside a bubble.
That is why before Ginebra’s PBA Finals series against TNT, head coach Tim Cone made sure to call one man — Erik Spoelstra.
“Talked to Spo before the Finals and watched the Miami Heat,” shared the 62-year-old Cone about Spoelstra, who is 12 years his junior.
“I just wished I could replicate Spo.”
During the NBA’s bubble season held at Disney World Resort in Florida, Miami was able to shock the world, advancing to the Finals to face the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers though were just too much for the Heat, bowing in six games.
All Cone wanted was for Ginebra to just be there. But he got more.
Throughout the five games series, heroes were aplenty for Ginebra. There was LA Tenorio who defied age, Scottie Thompson dazzled, Stanley Pringle who played like an import, Japeth Aguilar who grew to become the Kings’ anchor, and many more.
And after five games, Ginebra hoisted the once-in-a-lifetime crown — the PBA bubble championship.
Cone has now won 23 championships in his storied career. But out of all of them, this one is the most memorable.
“This was such a unique experience. I can’t thank the PBA enough for allowing us to play the game we love in a safe and competitive manner,” he expressed.
“But honestly, we’re ready to go home!”
