Coach Tim Cone thanks the fans. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Dethroning San Miguel Beer is one thing but taking its place as the best team in the PBA today is a different case altogether.
Barangay Ginebra foiled San Miguel’s bid to repeat as Commissioner’s Cup champion but head coach Tim Cone said the Beermen still sit atop the PBA mountain.
READ: Ginebra dethrones San Miguel, cops PBA Commissioner’s Cup title
“I think they see us as a threat to their perennial crown. They are, perennially, they’re the king,” said Cone after winning his third title with Ginebra on Wednesday night.
“Even though, we’re the Gin Kings, they (Beermen) are the PBA kings.”
READ: Finals setback will only make San Miguel ‘hungry,’ says Lassiter
San Miguel hadn’t been beaten in the finals since coach Leo Austria took over the team in 2014 until Ginebra ended the Beermen’s perfect 6-of-6 record.
But Cone said the Beermen remain as the league’s gold standard and that every team’s road to a championship will have to get past the winningest franchise first.
READ: Title loss to Ginebra ‘wake up call’ for San Miguel
“They’ll always going to see us as a thorn in their side but anything we wanna accomplish as a group, we know it’s always gonna have to go through San Miguel because they are the best team,” he said.
“Like I said, we’re the best team for a night but they really are the best team. It’s a fact,” he added. “There are other teams also but ultimately, all the teams are gonna go through San Miguel. So if we get successful, we’re gonna stop them, but generally, they’re gonna get their success.