Believing Red Bull preferred to have Alaska – and not Talk N Text – as its semifinal rival, Cone warned coach Yeng Guiao and his Thunder: "Be careful of what you wish for."
Cone sent this message to the Thunder moments after the Aces hurdled the Phone Pals, 82-63, Sunday to gain a shot at the Selecta PBA All-Filipino Cup Finals versus the reigning Commissioner’s Cup titlists.
Coca-Cola likewise advanced to the semifinals against sister team San Miguel Beer with a pulsating 63-60 win over Sta. Lucia also on Sunday.
Red Bull and San Miguel gained entry into the semis ahead of Alaska and Coca-Cola by finishing No. 1 and No. 2 in the eliminations.
"I knew they (the Thunder) wanted to play us. I read in the papers coach Yeng Guiao saying Talk N Text is a much more complete team. But be careful of what you wish for," said Cone.
Asked if he believes his team can put up a good challenge against Red Bull, which is certainly the hottest team in the league at the moment, Cone said: "We’re looking forward to do more than that."
Cone, however, admitted they have a job cut out for them versus Red Bull.
"Red Bull is a great team. They dominated the eliminations. They have Davonn Harp who is a dominant force inside and Mick Pennisi who can play inside and out. They also have physical guards who are so active on the floor. Red Bull is a tough combination to play," said Cone.
"They can even afford to have a Willie Miller coming off the bench. I believe Miller is the new Johnny Abarrientos," added Cone.
The American mentor gave Guiao a big credit in shaping up Red Bull to what it has become. Cone said: "Yeng does a tremendous job for his team. My hat’s off to him."
Cone was also honest enough to say he had no idea yet how to stop the Red Bull rampage.
"We played Red Bull early in the elims so my memory bank about them is now empty," he said.
Red Bull beat Alaska by only two points in their elimination-round match but the Thunder went on to dominate the prelims, winding up with an 8-1 win-loss record as against the Aces’ 5-4 card.
One thing going for Alaska is its vast experience in the playoffs. The Aces are actually in the hunt for a fourth All-Filipino crown in the last eight years. The Uytengsu franchise has been winning the league’s premier tourney every other year since 1996.
Red Bull, meanwhile, is out to cement its claim as the best PBA team at present. The Thunder have successfully defended their Commissioner’s Cup crown and are now in search of a first consecutive title conquests in the league.