PSA to fete Cone for record feats

MANILA, Philippines - In just one season,Tim Cone achieved two extraordianry feats that set him apart from the roster of great Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) coaches.

The 57-year-old mentor became the most accomplished in the 40-year history of Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league after surpassing the long-time record of the Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan, and went down as the only coach to score a grand slam with two different teams.

For his exploits, the Philippine Sportswriters Association will bestow Cone the honor Excellence in Basketball during its Annual Awards Night presented by Milo on Feb.

16. The champion coach is among the handful of awardees who excelled in 2014.

He will be honored by the country’s oldest media organization in formal rites which have the Philippine Sports Commission as major partner, and the Philippine Basketball Association, Accel, Globalport, and Rain or Shine as traditional backers.

The 1973 Philippine men’s team that won the FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Manila has earlier been announced as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“It’s only fitting for the PSA to recognize Tim Cone with the Excellence in Basketball honor following his outstanding achievements in a memorable PBA season,” said PSA president Jun Lomibao of the Business Mirror.

Cone distinguished himself as the winningest coach in the country’s pro league with 18 titles after steering San Mig Coffee to a rare grand slam last year.

The season sweep was the first in 18 years in the PBA since Cone himself became the last man to guide a team to a grand slam with Alaska in 1996.

The former national team mentor opened the league’s 39th season by guiding the Mixers to the Philippine Cup championship at the expense of the Rain or Shine Elasto Paints for title No. 16, topping the old-time record of 15 previously held by Dalupan.

He later added the Commissioner’s Cup crown by steering the Mixers past the Talk `N Text Tropang Texters, before leading the team again against Rain or Shine in the season-ending Governors Cup for the crowning glory of an outstanding season for him and the Mixers.

Cone was later named by the PBA Press Corps as the hands-down choice for Coach of the Year, a title he already won twice in the past.

Still being deliberated by the PSA is the prestigious Athlete of the Year award being contested by cycling’s Daniel Caluag, Donnie Nietes of professional boxing, and Gabriel Moreno of archery.

Major awardees and citations will also be given out to athletes and organizations which did the country proud in various sporting arenas last year.

Now on its 66th year, the PSA will also hand out the President’s Award as well as the Executive of the Year, National Sports Association of the Year, the Tony Siddayao Awards for outstanding athletes aged 17 or younger, Lifetime Achievement Award, Sports Patron of the Year, Posthumous, and the Milo Outstanding Athletes (boys and girls).