TWO coaches, who used to work and play together on the same team in the past, are expected to make the 2023 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup best-of-seven finals’ series a great and interesting experience to watch.
Both Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ coach Tim Cone and Talk ‘N Text Tropang mentor Jojo Lastimosa felt how difficult it will be going against each other and into Game 1 of their best-of-finals series on Easter Sunday.
Gametime is set 6 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.
“It’s going to be hard for me to keep him unbalanced. And that’s the key to playing the series,” said Cone during Monday’s pre-finals’ press conference at the Novotel Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City.
The Gin Kings reached the championship following a three-game sweep of their best-of-five semis series with San Miguel Beermen.
Before his mentoring duties with Ginebra, the 65-year-old Cone was coach of the Alaska Aces from 1989 to 2011, and had Lastimosa as a player from 1991 to 1999.
When his playing career was over, Lastimosa came back to the league as an assistant coach of Cone from 2006 to 2011.
The 59-year-old Lastimosa then stayed on as a part of the Aces’ coaching staff until 2013.
“I’m just here to learn. And as the series goes on, I know he’s a genius on that. So, we’ll see how it goes,” said Lastimosa, who is on his first finals’ appearance for TNT Tropang Giga.
Last Friday, the Tropang Giga turned back the Meralco Bolts, 107-92, in Game 4 of their best-of-five PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series to set up a much-awaited finals’ clash against Barangay Ginebra.
The TNT Tropang Giga and Barangay Ginebra clashed in the finals twice in league history, with TNT claiming the crown on both occasions.
But for Lastimosa, Cone’s presence with the Gin Kings will be tall order for his wards.
“To be honest, it’s like I’m seeing myself back in Alaska with Tim by my side. I’m always comfortable with Tim, as a player and as an assistance coach. And it’s like coming home,” added Lastimosa.