Chot, Tim mum on schemes

MANILA, Philippines — TNT coach Chot Reyes isn’t divulging what he has in store for Ginebra coach Tim Cone when they face off in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals starting at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight. And Cone isn’t about to share the tricks up his sleeve either as the clash of wits between the PBA’s celebrated tacticians enters a ninth chapter in their head-to-head Finals battle that began in 1994.

In eight previous encounters, Reyes has the edge over Cone, five championships to three, with the last two going his way. Their last Finals collision was in the 2024-25 Commissioner’s Cup where TNT clinched in OT in Game 7, 87-83. Both coaches shrugged off history as a thing of the past and said they’re just focusing on what’s ahead. Reyes said mention of the record is “extra motivation” for Ginebra while Cone jokingly remarked, “thanks for reminding me about it.”

In TNT’s 4-2 semis win over Meralco, Reyes used a variety of schemes, including a 2-2-1 press that slid into a 2-3 zone to throw off the Bolts. Asked what he has in mind for Ginebra, Reyes smiled and said, “secret.” Cone said Bol Manute Bol’s departure has led to TNT readjusting to its style of more team involvement and described new import Chris McCullough as a “good fit.” Not that Bol was a bad fit, it’s just that with a player of his immense talent, the tendency is to ride on the 7-3 center’s incredible skillset.

Ginebra hasn’t won a championship since the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup or a drought of seven conferences in a row. Cone has lost in his last three Finals appearances, all to TNT. This is Reyes’ fifth straight Finals with TNT losing the last two.