Arguably the greatest coach in the Philippine Basketball Association, Tim Cone says the gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games is one of the biggest highlights of his coaching career.
“You can’t go wrong with the gold medal. My Gosh, a gold medal, that’s something you can remember forever,” said Cone after leading Gilas Pilipinas to the most important gold medal of the biennial meet.
“I mean, if you’re like (multi-titled swimmer) Mark Spitz and had 10 golds medals, maybe that’s something (normal) but if you got one, that’s going to be incredibly special.”
The two-time grand slam winning coach led his team to a 115-81 demolition of Thailand. He said waited 21 years for his chance to strike gold in an international tournament.
Cone coached the Philippine Centennial team in 1998 Asian Games which brought home a bronze.
“I’ve won a few championships in the PBA but this one ranks right up there about the top. The bronze in the Asian Games, looking back, was special as well, but just the whole experience of being here (SEAG) and being with these guys and the support of everyone in the country, SBP, Al Panlilio, Alfrancis Chua and the support of the players, these players were so phenomenal so it was a great experience all around,” said Cone.
The Ginebra mentor actually didn’t take any chances as he assembled an all-professional crew to the Games.
“So you’re gonna remember the gold because of all the experience you went through this last week,” he said.