Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone said his latest career milestone is a testament of how long he has been coaching around the league.
On Friday, Nov. 20, the multi-titled coach entered the PBA history books anew after recording his 1000th win in the Kings’ 98-84 rout of the Blackwater Bossing. He is the first to record such a feat which started when he entered coaching in the league in 1989, further cementing his status as the winningest coach to ever graced the PBA floor.
What makes the feat even more incredible is that only PBA teams San Miguel and Ginebra have amassed victories past the 1000 mark, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.
“It’s a real honor to be able to say that I did that but it just to show how old I am getting and been around a long time and you have to be around a long time to get that kind of record,” said the veteran tactician
“It’s a longevity record really and if you don’t win a few championships along the way you probably don’t get the chance to last that long,” he added.
Part of that feat were the victories Cone accumulated during his two grand slam achievements with two different teams – first with Alaska in 1996 and second with San Mig Coffee in 2014.
On his way to the milestone, Cone also became the most successful coach in the PBA with 24 championships tucked under his belt along with four PBA Coach of the Year citations.
As much as the feats and titles he had won and accumulated over the years, Cone is eyeing for more – and a crucial one is looming ahead when his Ginebra takes on TNT on Sunday, Nov. 20.
“It’s a great honor we’re still hoping for the 1001 on Sunday against TNT, that's for sure. We have a big one coming up. We will enjoy this for a few moments then we’ll move on.”