Sweep unlikely in Finals

MANILA, Philippines — History isn’t on the side of a sweep in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals even as TNT was dominant in trouncing Barangay Ginebra, 95-89, in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series at the SM Mall of Asia Arena last Friday. In seven previous Finals meetings between opposing coaches Chot Reyes and Tim Cone, none was a sweep. That’s because they know each other so well.

In the 1991 Third Conference, Reyes was Cone’s assistant when Alaska won the championship. In the 2023 SEA Games, Cone was Reyes’ assistant when Gilas struck gold. In the PBA, Reyes has beaten Cone in four of seven Finals meetings, three in a best-of-seven series. From PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon’s records, their Last Dance encounters began in the 1994 Commissioner’s Cup where Reyes, coaching Purefoods, beat Cone, coaching Alaska, 4-1. In the All-Filipino conference two years later, Cone returned the favor, 4-1. Then came the 2002 All-Filipino Conference with Reyes, coaching Coca-Cola, took down Alaska, 3-1, in a best-of-five affair. In the Invitationals the next season, Cone got back at Reyes, 2-1, in a best-of-three duel.

In the 2009 Philippine Cup, Reyes, coaching TNT, defeated Cone, coaching Alaska, 4-3. In the 2012 Commissioner’s Cup, Cone, coaching B-Meg, got back at Reyes, still with TNT, 4-3. In the 2024 Governors’ Cup, Reyes repulsed Cone, 4-2. The trend has followed an alternating order with Reyes winning their first match-up then Cone, Reyes, Cone, Reyes, Cone and Reyes. If the trend holds, it will be Cone back in the driver’s seat this conference.

Cone, 67, has won 25 PBA titles with two Grand Slams and is a five-time PBA Coach of the Year. Reyes, 61, is a 10-time PBA champion and six-time Coach of the Year chasing his first Grand Slam this season.