B-Meg welcomes Cone, 'triangle'

MANILA, Philippines - Tim Cone is bringing the triangle offense to B-Meg.

In his first practice session with his new team in the PBA, the grand slam coach with Alaska Milk wasted no time introducing the winning formula.

“Almost the whole time he talked about the triangle offense,” said B-Meg team manager Alvin Patrimonio after yesterday’s practice in Ortigas.

 “He was showing everyone how it works, the player positions, the movement and the spots to look at. It was a good presentation,” said Patrimonio.

The triangle offense, a brainchild of NBA coach Phil Jackson and Tex Winter, provides for ample spacing that puts everyone in scoring position.

As successful as it was with Jackson with the Chicago Bulls and the LA Lakers, it was with Cone with Alaska, netting 13 titles, including a grandslam.

 “You can see the excitement in the players. They all welcomed the triangle offense that helped Cone with 13 titles with a single team,” Patrimonio said.

Cone is also bringing with him to B-Meg the two of his former players – former MVP Johnny Abarrientos and Jeffrey Cariaso as his assistants.

Richard del Rosario, who was named interim B-Meg coach a couple of weeks ago, will remain in the team, as one of Cone’s deputies.

It did not take long for Cone to seal the deal with B-Meg, formerly Purefoods, and one of the PBA teams under the San Miguel Corp. umbrella.

Barely two weeks ago, Cone cut his ties with Alaska Milk, his team in the PBA for 22 long and fruitful years.

His arrival at B-Meg, however, no longer came as a surprise to many because he has already been reported that Cone was headed straight to B-Meg.

Cone was formally introduced to the team by SMC officials Robert Non, Rene Pardo, Butch Alejo and Noli Eala.

Several offers from a couple of teams also came, but Cone said it wasn’t a tough decision to choose the San Miguel Corp. franchise.

 “It’s an honor to be a part of the San Miguel family,” he said in a statement released to the press yesterday.

He said he’s excited to take on the challenges of heading B-Meg, a talent-laden team, to the winner’s circle.

 “B-Meg is a great team and I am excited about the new challenge and the opportunity to bring my coaching skills to an entirely different level,” said Cone, who has a very huge appetite for winning.

His explosive ways on the bench, often drawing him technical fouls or even ejections, is just a testament of his drive, his will to carry his team to victory each game, at any cost.

Cone can’t wait to get things started.

 “I am turning over a new page in my life. I have given the best of my career for all of 22 years to Alaska and I’m proud to say that the foundational pieces I have helped laid have transformed it into one of the strongest teams in the PBA.”

Joel Banal, who has worked as Cone’s assistant for so long, has taken over Alaska’s coaching chores.

 “I am delighted to leave the team in a very good shape. That said, it’s time to move on and release that trapped energy to do more. I am eager to take on this new role and I look forward to working with James (Yap), Kerby (Raymundo) and the rest of the team.”

“We welcome him to the team. It will be a good start for all of us,” said Patrimonio.