Tim Cone crushed over death of triangle offense architect Tex Winter

Ginebra head coach Tim Cone. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone paid his respects to the iconic offensive maestro Tex Winter, who passed away Thursday at the age of 96.

Cone took to Twitter to express his condolences to Winter’s family.

“I’m crushed after hearing about the passing of Tex Winter,” tweeted Cone who has won 21 PBA titles while employing the triangle offense, the system Winter invented that reaped rewards in the NBA.

READ: Former NBA coach Tex Winter dies at 96 

Winter assisted Phil Jackson to 11 NBA titles, six with the Chicago Bulls and five with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Cone became a student of Winter’s and would visit the storied tactician during his trips to the United States.

“Never understood why he would a allow a coach like me to hang out and learn from him, but wow, he really impacted my life,” said Cone. “Will miss him forever.”