Ginebra headcoach Tim Cone (Courtesy of PBA)
MANILA -- Former Gilas Pilipinas Men player Marc Pingris is throwing his full support to Coach Tim Cone should the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas tap the latter as a national team coach for the Southeast Asian Games.
Cone is the frontrunner to replace Yeng Guiao as head coach for Gilas Men after the latter resigned following a lethargic stint in the recently concluded FIBA World Cup in China where they finished dead last and, after South Korea zoomed ahead of them in the latest FIBA rankings, totally missing out on a chance to make the Olympic qualifying tournament.
"One hundred percent suportado ako kay (I support) Coach Tim," said Pingris, a member of the 2013 Gilas Men team that won the silver medal in the FIBA Asia Cup held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay and the 2014 squad that played in the FIBA World Cup in Spain.
Cone is not new to coaching the national team as he was the chief tactician of the "Centennial Team" that won the bronze medal in the 1998 Asian Games.
He is also the Philippine Basketball Association's most successful mentor in terms of championships won with 21, including two "grand slams" in 1996 with Alaska and 2014 with Magnolia.
"Marami na siyang napatunayan sa PBA (He has proven a lot in the PBA)," added Pingris, who was actually a member of the 2014 Hotshots, then bearing the name San Mig Coffee Mixers, that won a grand slam.
Decision known soon
Meanwhile, Cone bared that he will likely come up with a decision to accept the Gilas Men coaching post by Monday "after talking to my family, Mr. [Al] Panlilio (SBP president) and I will continue our conversation regarding the appointment, at which time we will come to a resolution."
In the meantime, Cone said he is setting his sights on Ginebra's Governors' Cup debut against Alaska on Sunday night (Sept. 22) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
"My total focus is on our Ginebra game vs. Alaska [tonight] to open the Governor’s Cup," he added.
Still, a possibility of him coming up with a decision right after the game remains. (PNA)
