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[av_heading heading=’After Gov’s Cup win, Ginebra wants more ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Newly crowned 2016 Oppo PBA Governor’s Cup champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings was raring for more PBA titles.
Head coach Tim Cone said he plans to lead the crowd favorite to more victories, just like what he did to San Mig Coffee Mixers (now Star Hotshots), which he led to five titles, including a Grand Slam.
“It does not stop here. My goal is to win more PBA championships for Ginebra,” said Cone, the winningest head coach in the PBA, with 19 championships.
Kings recently notched its ninth PBA trophy — the first since the 2008 PBA Fiesta Cup — with a thrilling 91-88 win over Meralco Bolts in Game 6 of the best-of-seven finals on a game-winning triple by Justin Brownlee.
Cone considers this latest win special not only because he got it on the birthday of his “idol” Virgilio Dalupan, but also because former Kings star Robert Jaworski was present to inspire the players.
“So Senator Jaworski was here, Mark (Caguioa) and Jayjay (Helterbrand) won games. Wow! What a magical time. This is what I will remember forever because of certain things that happened,” he said.
“Each championship has its own personality. You love them for each personality they have,” Cone said. “The 19 championships I had [are] the same thing, but this one will definitely stand out.”
Kings might have a tough time in the 2016-2017 PBA Philippine Cup, which will open on Nov. 20, with the absence of center Gregory Slaughter due to a knee injury.
But “I don’t think motivation is an issue for these guys. They enjoy winning. They will just come out and play at a high level,” said Cone, who also joined the growing list of head coaches winning PBA titles with three different teams./PN
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