Cone fascinated by NBA experience

MANILA, Philippines — Decorated mentor Tim Cone could not be grateful enough for his NBA Summer League stint for the Miami Heat with hopes of instilling the valuable learnings to his Barangay Ginebra club in the PBA – sooner or later.

The PBA’s winningest coach said the NBA gig as assistant for the Heat was a fascinating chapter in his career that would only make him an even better mentor down the road.

“It’s an incredible experience being around with a staff like that daily to watch their progress and process. Watching the progression of games, it’s really fascinating to be part of it,” said Cone after his PBA return marked by Ginebra’s 100-93 win over Northport.

Cone, holder of 24 PBA titles, served as a deputy for Malik Allen in Miami’s Summer League team and thus missed four games for the Gin Kings in the ongoing Philippine Cup.

But while the whole different landscape of NBA game added vital pieces to Cone’s arsenal, it was the daily chat with officials and coaches led by Heat head coach Erik Spoeltsra that stood out the most for him.

For Cone, it’s where he got to soak more in invaluable wisdom.

“It’s really fascinating. We have a whole crew walking so I walk with Spo and his assistants. You got a lot of interaction and you learn a lot. Those are the special ones. It made the trip special,” he added of good friend and Filipino-American Spoelstra.

Now, the challenge for the master guru is exactly how to apply those lessons to the Gin Kings, who are gearing up for the playoffs with a proven and tested system under his watch with six titles and counting.