Barangay Ginebra San Miguel mentor Tim Cone and Rain or Shine tactician Yeng Guiao feel honored to lead the balloting among coaches who will call the shots in the Philippine Basketball Association All-Star Game on 12 March in Passi, Iloilo.
At a time when the game is getting more accessible to younger audience, Cone and Guiao still emerged on top of the balloting despite being in the business for more than three decades.
Cone, the winningest tactician in the league with 25 titles, wasn’t surprised when it was announced that he topped the derby among coaches.
“Anytime you win a championship, you’re a coach of the moment,” said Cone, whose resume includes two grand slams with Alaska and Purefoods franchises.
“It’s truly honoring and humbling that you guys think of me even when I’m not around for so long. Of course, I’m coaching the most popular team in the league, so it really helps a lot.”
Cone looked back at a time when former Ginebra coach Robert Jaworski would emerge as the hands down choice among fans every All-Star Game.
“I remember the old days when we had this voting,” he said.
“Sonny Jaworski would kill everybody. He’ll get 100,000 votes and then the next one would have 10. I mean, he would kill everybody. We were all fighting for second place. It’s really gratifying following in the footsteps of Sonny, coaching the most popular team.”
For Guiao, to be considered by the younger generation of fans is truly flattering.
“I truly appreciate the fans for voting me even when my previous teams were not doing so well the past few years,” Guiao said.
“I was even joking with some of the players and coaches that when I campaigned during the elections, I didn’t win. Maybe here, I’ll be able to win even without campaigning.”
Turning serious, Guiao felt honored that he is second in the running in the initial polls and being able to coach in the All-Star Game is truly another accomplishment in his storied career.
“I wasn’t even thinking about it as I was more focused on how to strengthen my team, Rain or Shine, because we’re not doing well this conference,” he said.
