Tim Cone's motivation at Ginebra: 'Follow the legend of Robert Jaworski'

Two-time Grand Slam coach Tim Cone admitted that coaching Barangay Ginebra San Miguel was the last thing on his mind when he flew to Las Vegas weeks ago for the NBA Summer League.

 

For four years, he was at the helm of the Star Hotshots franchise, the Gin Kings' long-time rival, and suddenly jumping to the other side of the fence was certainly unthinkable for him.

 

"The first initial reaction was, 'Uh, I don't wanna go.' I don't wanna leave my guys," he told reporters after his appointment was formalized in a press conference on Thursday.

 

After that moment of separation anxiety, however, Cone began to accept the newest challenge of his decorated coaching career: turn things around for the league's most popular but struggling ball club.

 

Ginebra has not won a championship since 2008 and has gone through a carousel of coaches over the past seven years, and now it is up to the winningest coach in PBA history to whip them into title contenders once more.

 

"Coaching Ginebra brings different pressures than other teams," he said. "The one thing you don't want to do is let down the fans."

 

But Cone is pretty motivated to take on the job, looking back to the person who started the "never-say-die" spirit and spurned the greatest fanbase in Philippine sports history: Sonny Jaworksi.

 

"One of the great things coming to Purefoods was following the legend of Baby Dalupan," he said. "Now I'm going to Ginebra and I'm able to follow the legend of Sonny Jaworski."

 

"I'm hoping he's okay with me following his legacy," he added.

 

The 57-year-old coach paid homage to Living Legend's success in leading Ginebra during his tenure, particularly his ability to handle the expectations for the Kings.

 

"He was such a polarizing figure, he could kinda absorb all the pressure and his players can just go out there and play," he said.

 

Cone is optimistic he will also be able to steer the Kings to a finals appearance and a championship in due time, with the legions of fans on his back motivating the team.

 

"I'm at home every game now. It's a unique feeling," he said. —JST, GMA News