Star Forward Marc Pingris. TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net
After almost two weeks of rumors, Star fans have come to grips with the reality that coach Tim Cone is really Ginebra-bound.
READ: Cone to replace Lim as Ginebra head coach
And for Marc Pingris, though the news hurt, he knows that the Hotshots can cope with the situation they are dealt with.
“Nakaka-sad dahil aalis si Coach Tim pero wala kaming magagawa (It’s sad that Coach Tim will leave but we can’t really do anything.),” he said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.
READ: Star Hotshots players mum after supposed Cone transfer
In four years of stay with the Purefoods franchise, Cone has been instrumental in the team’s success, winning five titles there, leading the squad to its first back-to-back championships as a franchise in the 2013 Governors’ Cup and the 2014 Philippine Cup, and eventually, a Grand Slam in the 2014 season.
Through all of this, the team has already created a bond like no other, and just like what Cone did with his two-decade run with Alaska, he has left indelible lessons to his players.
“Ang dami kong natutunan kay Coach Tim pero siguro ang pinakamalaing aral is respect your teammates
(I have learned so much from Coach Tim but maybe the biggest lesson was respecting your teammates.),” said Pingris.
Star’s emotional leader said that aside from James Yap, he has yet to talk with his teammates on what just transpired. But he believes that new Star coach Jason Webb can do an admirable job as he succeeds Cone from his vacated post.
“OK naman si Coach Jason. May tiwala kami sa kanya. (Coach Jason is OK. We trust him.),” Pingris said. IDL