Tim’s legacy spills

I’m proud of them, but it doesn’t mean that I won’t beat them, though

Tim Cone didn’t only emerge as the most successful coach in professional basketball.

He also molded some of the country’s most brilliant coaching minds with some of them are now coaching against him in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Alaska head coach Jeffrey Cariaso, Columbian tactician Johnedel Cardel and Blackwater guru Aris Dimaunahan were all considered as Cone’s disciples after playing for the American mentor during the course of their professional careers.

Cariaso, for one, is a solid Cone follower after playing for him from 1995 to 1997 and 2004 to 2010.

Then, he served as his assistant when Cone moved to San Miguel Corporation starting with B-Meg and San Mig Super Coffee from 2011 to 2014, where they won multiple titles.

“I’m happy that they got Jeff there at Alaska,” said Cone, who is back at the limelight after Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas revealed that he will be the head coach of Gilas Pilipinas.

“Aris Dimaunahan also played for me, John Cardel also played for me. I’m happy that some of these young coaches all played for me. I’m happy to have all of these guys out there.”

Cone also commended Cardel and Dimaunahan for doing a good job with their respective teams.

In fact, it was Cone who drafted Cardel from De La Salle University in 1993 while Dimaunahan played for him during his final year at Alaska in 2011.

“John-john (Cardel) is a coaching great while Aris had a tremendous conference last conference. And I think Jeff is going to be in line with that,” Cone said, stressing the contributions made by Cariaso.

“He coached with me at San Mig Coffee when we won the grand slam and he also got to learn from Alex Compton’s system. So I think he just has to take his time to roll things together and let the guys figure out what he wants.”

Aside from Cariaso, Cardel and Dimaunahan, assistant coaches like Jojo Lastimosa of NLEX, Luigi Trillo of Meralco, Johnny Abarrientos of Magnolia, Tony Dela Cruz of Alaska, Richard del Rosario of Ginebra, Biboy Ravanes of San Miguel Beer and Topex Robinson of Phoenix Pulse also worked with Cone.

Lastimosa and Abarrientos spent the most successful years of his playing career at Alaska with Cone after winning the grand slam in 1996 while Trillo served as the young deputy of the celebrated guru.

“I’m happy. It’s been a long time since I got some of my guys out there as head coaches while some of them become assistants like Jojo at NLEX and Luigi at Meralco.”

“I’m proud of them. I’m proud of them, but it doesn’t mean that I won’t beat them, though,” Cone said before breaking into a smile.