Hotshots coach Tim Cone on Father's Day game: 'We're afraid we might lose and nobody wants to celebrate'

 

"Almost every father's day, for as long as I can remember, he had a game," said Kevin, Cone's eldest son. "It has been some kind of a tradition to come to the game and eat somewhere after. Pretty much that."

 

This year was a little different, however, as the Star Hotshots faced third-ranked Barako Bull while in danger of missing the Governors' Cup playoffs with a 4-5 card.

 

"We're afraid we might lose and nobody wants to celebrate," the elder Cone admitted.

 

Whether or not they would celebrate was pinned on how the game would go, but his youngest son, Trevor, took matters into his hands and bought a cake on Saturday.

 

"We had it last night, knowing we had a game tonight," Cone said.

 

That could have been the end of their celebration, but fortunately for the Grand Slam coach, his team had other ideas. The Hotshots dealt the Energy a 117-89 rout for a fitting gift to their mentor - giving him the chance to spend Father's Day with his family with no worries.

 

"Maybe we won, we'll go have a Father's Day dinner," said the coach.

 

Kevin, for his part, already gifted his dad a neck tie to add to his collection.

 

"He likes simple gifts," he said. "One time I tried to give him a batman tie. He isn't wearing it."

 

Asked what kind of a father his dad is, Kevin revealed that the coach has a soft side in him.

 

"You'll be surprised. My mom's the disciplinarian in the family. He's very laid-back, always taking the sides of the kids," he said.

 

Cone laughed when he learned about his sons' revelations, but admitted to being a mellow father when it comes to his children.

 

"I think I get tired of disciplining my boys, my sons in the locker room so I don't discipline my kids," he said. "I'm a really easygoing guy."

 

Kevin said he appreciates his da's efforts to spend time with his family despite his busy work schedule as the coach of a champion team.

 

"He's just as good a dad as he is a coach. We're very glad to have him." - RAF, GMA News