Good pals but even fiercer rivals.

Tim Cone is thrilled to be sharing another Finals matchup with close friend Chot Reyes as Barangay Ginebra and TNT found itself on the collision course in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals which fires off on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Cone and Reyes, two of the league’s most accomplished coaches, have not shared the spotlight in the finals in 12 years or since the former’s BMeg team edged the latter’s Talk ‘N Text in the 2012 Commissioner’s Cup.

But not crossing paths at the highest of stages for a long time only makes their meeting all the more interesting especially that it would also be the first time Cone is facing Reyes as Ginebra coach.

“We are really just happy that we are back in and going to pit against my good friend coach Chot again,” said Cone, who has a long history with Reyes.

“There’s always been that rivalry between Ginebra and Talk ‘N Text. Looking forward to mixing it up with my buddy,” he added.

Reyes was once an assistant with Cone during their time at Alaska and the Ginebra coach would also end up serving as the TNT coach’s deputy during their time with Gilas Pilipinas.

“He knows me. I know him. We just got working with the Gilas team together so I don't think there are a lot of secrets of what we do and how we play,” Cone said of Reyes.

While it’s been a while since the last time the two veteran tacticians figured in a head-to-head collision, the same could not be said with their respective franchises which also starred in the conference’s last Finals matchup.

With Mikey Williams and import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson leading the charge, TNT handed Ginebra its first finals loss with Justin Brownlee through six games.

A lot, however, has changed since then as the Tropang Giga is now without Williams although they have added Rey Nambatac to fill in his role. The Kings, on the other hand, have lost Christian Standhardinger although they added guys like Stephen Holt and RJ Abarrientos to the fold.

The biggest difference, though, according to Cone, is how TNT turned into a defensive juggernaut this time around.

“He (Reyes) has formed a team around Rondae’s personality and became a very good defensive team so that’s something we have to really battle,” he said.