Modesty aside

The PBA’s longest-tenured coach Tim Cone of Alaska is also the league’s winningest but the 52-year-old American downplays the fact that he has eclipsed Baby Dalupan for the record of most career wins.

Cone, who took over as Bogs Adornado’s replacement at the Alaska helm in 1989, picked up win No. 602 when the Aces beat Purefoods, 94-84, last March 15. Dalupan racked up 601 wins with Crispa, Great Taste and Purefoods in a storied career that began in 1975.

Cone refuses to bask in the glory of the feat, saying Dalupan is his hero and he doesn’t deserve to be mentioned in terms as glowing as the Maestro.

“I did it because of longevity,” says Cone modestly. “If you look at Baby’s records dating back to the MICAA, he probably has won over 900 games so my record is nothing in comparison. A better gauge of a coach’s performance is winning percentage and believe me, no one beats Baby in that department.”

For the record, Cone’s win-loss slate is 603-459 or a .567 clip compared to Dalupan’s mark of 601-348 or .633.

Cone says even the NBA’s winningest coach Lenny Wilkens isn’t as revered as legendary mentors Red Auerbach, Pat Riley and Phil Jackson.

“Fans remember the coaches with the most championships,” continues Cone.

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Dalupan bagged 15 PBA titles and Cone has so far has captured 12. The celebrated Maestro called the shots for Crispa in 1975-82, Great Taste in 1983-88 and Purefoods in 1989-91.

Both Dalupan and Cone registered grand slams. Dalupan did it in 1976 and Cone in 1996. The only other coaches to win three consecutive titles in a season were Tommy Manotoc in 1983 and Norman Black in 1989.

Cone is also in the history books as the last coach of a Philippine team that claimed a medal in basketball at the Asian Games. He was at the helm of the Centennial squad that took the bronze medal at the Bangkok Asiad in 1998.

As for his longevity, Cone insists he owes it to Alaska team owner Wilfred Uytengsu. “I’m just lucky to have a great relationship and good friendship with our owner,” he mentions.

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Last Friday, Cone chalked up win No. 603 as Alaska came from behind to nip Barangay Ginebra, 82-81, in a game that highlighted Willie Miller’s heroics.

Alaska was down by eight with 2:38 to go and it looked like Ginebra was on the way to snapping a three-game losing streak. Then, Miller went to work. He scored 10 of his 18 points in the last two minutes and his triple pushed the Aces on top by one, time down to 7.6 seconds.

But what opened the door for Alaska’s thrilling victory was L. A. Tenorio’s penalty situation foul on Jay-Jay Helterbrand with about 19 seconds left and the Kings up by one. It seemed like Tenorio fouled Helterbrand too early. The gamble, however, paid off as Helterbrand hit just one of two free throws. Miller knocked down the decisive trey on the next play.

Ginebra had a chance to win it in the last few seconds but couldn’t execute. Chico Lanete wound up taking a three-point attempt and missed. Neither Helterbrand nor Rod Nealy had a chance to go for the winner, thanks to Alaska’s defense.

Cone says Miller often reminds him of Jojo Lastimosa for his ability to convert game winners.

As humble as ever, Cone refuses to take credit for the win. “Sure, we played without Tony (de la Cruz), Jeffrey (Cariaso) and Brandon (Cablay) but don’t take away anything from Ginebra because they could’ve won the game without Mark (Caguioa), Eric (Menk) and Junthy (Valenzuela),” he points out.

Alaska has now won two in a row since Rosell Ellis’ arrival. It was Ellis who led Alaska to the 2007 Fiesta Conference crown and Cone is hoping for a repeat performance.

As for Ginebra, coach Joseph Uichico denied rumors that a new import is arriving next week. He said the Kings are sticking with Nealy even as Ginebra has now lost four straight.