Cone predicts more slams with San Mig potent mix

MANILA, Philippines - With their four-peat winning lineup, San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone is confident they can stay on top in the coming PBA Season 40 without tweaking their roster.

“Winning the grand slam is not the end for us. We’re ready to win more,” said Cone in his speech after receiving the Baby Dalupan Trophy as Coach of the Year awardee in the 2014 PBA Press Corps Awards Night at the Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City Thursday.

Cone said they’re not tinkering with their lineup even with the team holding the No. 7 pick in the 2014 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft tomorrow at the Robinson’s Place Manila.

Rene Pardo, San Mig Coffee’s representative to the PBA board of governors, said they’re ready to give up their draft rights this year for future picks.

“I feel six draft hopefuls can make immediate impact in the PBA,” said Cone, referring to Stanley Pringle, Matt Ganuelas, Chris Banchero, Kevin Alas, Ronald Pascual and Jake Pascual.

“We use our draft rights only if any one of them is still available at No. 7,” Cone pointed out.

But the three-time Coach of the Year winner is doubtful any of the six would still be free by the time San Mig takes its turn to pick. Thus, he’s looking forward to the coming PBA season with their old, champion roster.

Mark Barroca has just signed a three-year contract-extension deal. Being worked out now are the new pacts of Joe Devance and Rafi Reavis.

“We only lost JR Cawaling (in the dispersal draft). We’re very much intact, including reserve Ken Bono. And the guys are all healthy,” said Pardo.

“They are solid. They really can make another championship run,” said San Miguel Corp. official Robert Non.

With their successful run, the SMC Mixers really have no reason to change their winning blend.

“I remember our grand slam team at Alaska. We lost Jeff (Cariaso) to Talk n Text in the next season and it impacted on us,” said Cone.

“We saw the end of eight straight finals after Jeff’s loss. We made another run of finals appearances when we got Kenneth Duremdes,” Cone recalled.

Meanwhile, SMC president Ramon S. Ang, the Executive of the Year awardee, put much credit of San Mig Coffee’s four-peat to their prized coach.

“He’s the best coach I’ve known,” said Ang.

“He’s still young. I won’t be surprised if he ends up in the NBA,” Ang also said.