Cone apologizes to Black for handshake snub

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Ginebra coach Tim Cone apologized for his actions late in Game 3 of the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals on Wednesday.

The two-time Grand Slam-winning mentor was repentant after he refused to shake Meralco coach Norman Black’s hand on the heels of the Bolts’ 94-81 win to get on the board, 2-1, in the best-of-7 Finals series.

READ: Black blasts Cone after post-game spat 

“I regret my actions after Game 3 ended,” he said in a statement sent to reporters on Thursday morning.

Cone admitted that he was irked when Black sued for time with 38.1 seconds remaining in Game 3 with the outcome already decided.

A visibly irritated Cone stood at the sidelines and refused to convene with his team in the huddle as he waited for the game clock to elapse.

READ: PBA Finals: Durham tows Meralco past Ginebra to avoid 0-3 hole 

He then said a few words to the Meralco bench on his way out of floor when the buzzer sounded.

“Yes, I was upset about the timeout that was called late in the game, but there is no one in the PBA that I respect more than Norman Black. I got caught up in the moment and could have handled it differently. I apologize, and will do so to him personally,” he said.

Game 4 of the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals between Ginebra and Meralco is slated on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.