MANILA, Philippines — B-Meg coach Tim Cone has been hired as consultant of De la Salle University as the Archers management tries to turn around the fortunes of the once formidable college powerhouse whose UAAP performance has seen a rapid decline for several years.

School officials have yet to issue an official statement regarding Cone’s hiring but sources within the team said that Cone and new La Salle coach Gee Abanilla have already discussed ways to raise the competiveness of the team.

Cone, one of the winningest coaches in PBA history, reportedly filled the post recently vacated by Jong Uichico, who resigned his La Salle post to join the coaching staff of both the Smart Gilas II and the Meralco Bolts, teams under Manny Pangilinan’s banner.

Cone is not expected to resign his PBA job and reportedly has been granted permission to join La Salle by B-Meg management.

La Salle hopes to tap into Cone’s vast experience as the Green Archers begin their long climb to college ball preeminence. A record of futility has hounded the Archers during which they failed to make the Final Four in 2011 and 2009. In 2010, they were swept in their semis series.

La Salle had already began its buildup by firing Dindo Pumaren as bench tactician and hiring Abanilla, a veteran tactician who was assistant coach of San Miguel Beer.

The school also was able to lure high school standout Jeron Teng, son of former PBA stalwart Alvin, to enroll at La Salle, turning down overtures from other universities.

The Archers' last championship came in 2007 when JV Casio, Rico Maierhofer, TY Tang and Cholo Villanueva swept University of the East in the finals.

It was downhill from there.