Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
BOCAUE—As Tim Cone steered Barangay Ginebra to a 101-96 win over Meralco in Game 7 of the Governors’ Cup Finals, he knew he had just been part of something special.
Not only did Cone chalk up his 20th title, he and the Gin Kings celebrated it in front of a record crowd at Philippine Arena.
Game 7 drew 54,086 fans in attendance and Cone couldn’t wait to tell his good friend and Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra about it when he flies to the United States for a family reunion and watch an NBA game between Golden State and Miami at Oracle Arena in Oakland.
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“It’s unfathomable you’ll play in front of 54,000 people,” said Cone Friday at Philippine Arena. “I’ll watch the Warriors-Heat game in San Francisco and I’d get a chance to see Erik Spoelstra and I can’t wait to tell Erik that I just got through coaching in front of 54,000 people. That’s amazing.”
The two coaches share a special bond and there will surely be a lot of ribbing happening when they catch up.
READ: More than 50k fans attend Ginebra-Meralco Finals Game 6
“He’s been in the NBA Finals and such but he’s never coached in front of 50,000 people so I got a one up on him,” said Cone. “It’s awesome, I’m proud of being part of it.”
“Nobody does that, nobody coaches basketball in front of 54,000 people. Maybe 30,000, or 25,000. But 54,000? That’s such a privilege.”