Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone refused to make much of his first coaching face-off with his former player LA Tenorio, who is now calling the shots for rival Magnolia.
The two crossed paths early in the new era with Tenorio’s Hotshots carving out an 80-73 statement win to kick things off in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
For Cone, though, the moment was less about their shared history and more about regrouping after the Gin Kings struggled to find their rhythm in the season opener.
“It has nothing to do with anything. I’m happy for LA, sad for myself,” a disappointed Cone said.
“We’re friends. It’s the same thing when I played against Chot Reyes, Jeff Cariaso, or John Cardel, Willie Wilson, they are my ex-players. So it was much bigger for LA than it was for me tonight. It was his first game, he’s gonna remember it.”
Cone was visibly frustrated after the loss, admitting he didn’t like how his players executed the game plan, especially with the Hotshots dictating the tempo for most of the game.
Ginebra never held the lead while Magnolia led by as much as 15 with the young guns Zavier Lucero, Jerom Lastimosa, and Javi Gomez de Liaño combining for 45 points.
But the multi-titled tactician is out to move on from this loss quickly.
“I certainly didn’t like the way we played. Too many turnovers, not enough effort on defense, didn’t execute tonight, didn’t play a good game at all,” Cone added.
“They looked sharper and better. We’re not gonna make a big deal out of it because it’s just the first game.”
Tenorio likewise brushed off his first coaching encounter with Cone, with whom he shared countless battles during their years together at Barangay Ginebra.
“It’s not about me and Coach Tim, it’s about the players of Magnolia and players of Ginebra,” the rookie coach shared.
“Sabi ko nga sa mga players, it’s them versus the five of Ginebra inside the court, it’s not me against Coach Tim. I hope this will be a start of a good journey, again it’s not about me, it’s for the players. It’s for the Magnolia team.”
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
