TIM Cone and Chot Reyes will be at it again.
The two best coaches in PBA history tangle on the sidelines again as Barangay Ginebra and TNT arrange a best-of-seven duel for the Governors' Cup championship.
Game 1 of the finals is set on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, serving as the first meeting between Cone and Reyes in a title series since the 2012 Commissioner's Cup.
Cone was still with the Purefoods franchise back then and steered the then B-Meg Llamados (now Magnolia Hotshots) to the championship after turning back Reyes and Talk 'N Text in a classic Game 7 that went into overtime, 90-84, after import Denzel Bowles tied the game at the end of regulation behind two pressure-packed free throws.
In their head-to-head encounter in a PBA finals, both Cone and Reyes are locked at 3-3.
Sponsored content:
Cone certainly looks forward at breaking that tie as he goes up anew against his good friend and former chief deputy when they were still starting together at Alaska.
"We are really just happy that we are back in and going to pit against my good friend coach Chot again," said the Barangay Ginebra mentor.
"There's always been that rivalry between Ginebra and TNT. Looking forward to mixing it up with my buddy."
Cone steered the Kings to the championship round after finishing off the San Miguel Beermen in Game 6 of their semifinals series, 102-99.
Reyes and the Tropang Giga meanwhile, were the first to reach the finals behind a 113-95 win over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 5 of their own semis series.
Sponsored content:
The 66-year-old Cone of course, is the most accomplished coach in league history with 25 championships in all.
The 61-year-old Reyes meanwhile, has nine championships tucked under his belt, but has the most number of Coach of the Year award from the PBA Press Corps.
Cone has been named recipient of the honor named after 'The Maestro' Virgilio 'Baby' Dalupan, a total of four times. (RG)
