Ginebra coach Jeffrey Cariaso relishes first-ever win against mentor Tim Cone

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel coach Jeffrey Cariaso scored his first win against his mentor Tim Cone when the Gin Kings pulverized the Purefoods Star Hotshots on Sunday.

Cariaso, who served as an assistant coach to Cone in San Mig Coffee Mixers before the team was rechristened to Purefoods this year, said that the victory against the winningest coach in the PBA is special.

"It feels good of course," he said after the game. "It's always a big deal about mentor versus apprentice and teacher versus student, and it was, it really was.

"It's always a challenge, and it's always gonna be special if it's coach Tim," added Cariaso, who played under Cone with Alaska.

Cariaso adopted Cone's triangle offense for Ginebra's system after taking over the Gin Kings last conference.

Despite still being in the developmental stages of the triangle, Ginebra won by blowout against Purefoods, a team more well-versed in the triangle having won the last four PBA championship.

The defeat relegated Purefoods to a 1-3 record, but Cariaso knows better than to count Cone out.

"Coach Tim is not gonna last this long just because it's a fluke or he just go on by it daily," he said. "One thing I learned about Coach Tim is adjustments. Dun siya magaling e."

"I'm sure they're gonna be better after tonight's game. I wouldn't be surprised if we see them sometime in the playoffs." — JST, GMA News