Tim Cone recalls holding back Nabong during Mixers-Batang Pier altercation

PHOTO BY PBA MEDIA BUREAU / SPORTS5 (Paolo Papa)

MANILA, Philippines — While most froze and watched as an on-court fight broke out between San Mig Coffee’s Marc Pingris and GlobalPort’s Kelly Nabong, Tim Cone went right into the action.

“I was a little scared getting in the middle of it but that’s basically the coach’s rule he’s supposed to get in there and break it up,” recalled Cone. “I saw them starting to fight, I grabbed Kelly I guess on his arms and then luckily he stumbled over me because he was so strong.”

In some way, Cone managed to hold back the chiseled Nabong as both fell on the hardwood.

“Remember that old shot of Jeff Van Gundy grabbing the foot of Alonzo Mourning so that was what I felt like. I felt like Jeff Van Gundy. I mean I had to do it to the biggest guy on the court. Kelly’s huge,” Cone added.

Cone, the Mixers’ veteran coach, was referring to a memorable NBA moment in the 1998 playoffs when the rivalry between the New York Knicks and Miami Heat was one of the hottest tickets at that time.

“I just kept yelling to Kelly ‘settle down Kelly, settle down’ and then kind of praying that he won’t punch me.”

“Our guys getting into a fight, or our guys getting a little confrontational, I’ll be the first guy in there.”