Excellence award for Cone

COACH Tim Cone sealed his legacy in the Philippine Basketball Association with two remarkable feats last season.

Not only did Cone steer San Mig Coffee to a Grand Slam, the American coach also surpassed the record of Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan as the most successful coach in the 40-year history of the league with 18 crowns.

Having led Alaska to a Grand Slam in 1996, Cone became the first coach to lead two different teams to the rare feat.

For his remarkable exploits, Cone will be feted by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) with an award for Excellence in Basketball during its Annual Awards Night presented by Milo on Feb. 16.

The 1973 Philippine men’s team that won the Fiba Asia (formerly the Asian Basketball Confederation) men’s championship in Manila will also be recognized with Lifetime Achievement Award by the country’s oldest media organization.

“It’s only fitting for the PSA to recognize Tim Cone with the Excellence in Basketball honor following the outstanding achievement he did in a memorable PBA season,” said PSA president Jun Lomibao of the Business Mirror.

Asian Games BMX champion Daniel Caluag, pro boxing champion Donnie Nietes and Youth Olympic Games gold medalist Gabby Moreno are in the running for Athlete of the Year.

Backed the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) as major partner, and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Accel, Globalport and Rain or Shine as traditional backers, the PSA will also hand out major awardees and citations to outstanding athletes.

Winners of the President’s Award as well as the Executive of the Year, National Sports Association of the Year, the Tony Siddayao Awards for outstanding athletes aged 17 or younger, Lifetime Achievement Award, Sports Patron of the Year, Posthumous, and the Milo Outstanding Athletes (boys and girls) are also being deliberated.

In a banner season, Cone piloted the  Mixers to the Philippine Cup championship at the expense of Rain or Shine, before copping the Commissioner’s Cup crown by beating Talk `N Text.

Cone then piloted San Mig to the Governors’ Cup title, overcoming Rain or Shine anew  in the season-ending tournament.