Cone shopping for takers

Former Alaska grand slam coach Tim Cone admitted the other day he’s looking around for a job and said coaching B-Meg is a possibility in the coming PBA season.

 “I’m still searching,” said Cone. “B-Meg is a possibility but there are other teams that are under consideration.” No formal announcement has been made as to Cone’s next assignment but a source close to him confided that “my guess is B-Meg na siya.”

At the B-Meg camp, acting head coach Richard del Rosario continues to supervise the practices at the Ronac Center. Former head coach Jorge Gallent has slid to assistant coach. Del Rosario said he’ll do his best to serve the team in whatever capacity. Rey Evangelista has resigned from the staff, leaving Koy Banal and Art de la Cruz and video coordinator Dayong Mendoza in the support group.

 “I didn’t expect to be named acting coach,” said Del Rosario. “I feel a little awkward about it since it was Jorge who recruited me. I don’t want him to think I was after his job. But we all just follow orders to the best of our ability. I’m honored by the trust that management has shown. I didn’t even think I was in the radar. But whether I end up as head coach or stay as assistant coach, I’ll do my best for the team and live up to management’s expectations.”

Del Rosario said last season, the coaching staff was split into two-man scouting teams. “Art and Koy would do one game and Rey and I would do another,” said Del Rosario. “Each two-man team worked on offense and defense. I still don’t know if there will be additions to the staff. We’re awaiting orders from top management. But we’re getting ready for next season. Joe (De Vance) has started practicing. Kerby (Raymundo) is arriving on Sept. 22 from the US. James (Yap), Roger (Yap), P. J. (Simon), Josh (Urbiztondo), Jerwin (Gaco) are all back.”

Del Rosario said he’s hoping to resume working with Gallent. “We see each other every day, even after practice, we get together,” he continued. “No matter what happens, our relationship will remain as strong as before. When I got the call from Boss Robert (Non) about my appointment as acting head coach, I tried to contact Jorge right away but he was in Baclaran church. This fell on my lap out of nowhere.”

Del Rosario has a contract with St. Benilde in the NCAA and if he is confirmed as B-Meg head coach, he won’t be able to officially accept the appointment until the end of the varsity season next month.

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As for Cone, here are his answers to questions we asked in an interview.

STAR: What brought you to leave Alaska?

Cone: After 22 years, I felt I needed to leave my comfort zone and take on other challenges. It was certainly nothing that occurred in Alaska that made me come to that realization – Alaska (Mr. Fred Uytengsu) has always taken care of me. I also felt that if I was to make a change, now was the time. I felt it was a marketable time for me. I’m unsure if that would be the case two or three years from now. And I feel like I left the team at the right time. They have a strong, veteran lineup, coming off a great draft, they have great stewardship from Mr. Uytengsu and Joaqui Trillo, and they have a great coaching staff led by Joel Banal. They are primed for a championship.

STAR: What new challenges are out there?

Cone: I felt Alaska was a shining example for my 22 years of how to run an organization professionally. We took on the challenge and the lead of Mr. Uytengsu and made it a reality. The challenge for me now is to take that legacy of professionalism that I learned from the Alaska organization and bring it to another organization. I find it exciting that I’ll have a chance to work again from the ground up.

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STAR: There is speculation that you’ll join either the SMC or PLDT group. When can we expect an announcement?

Cone: I would be honored to be a part of either organization. As of now, although I’ve had some preliminary talks, nothing is imminent.

STAR: Could an option be a role overseeing the San Miguel teams? What about Talk ‘N’ Text with the rumor that Chot Reyes may be going to the Philippine Team?

 Cone: I would be honored if either of those positions would be offered to me. Either would be exciting and desirable. I would love to work alongside my good friend, Chot, although after coming inches away from winning a Grand Slam, I don’t see him moving from Talk ‘N’ Text.