TIM Cone deferred to the Living Legend Sonny Jaworski as the force behind Barangay Ginebra on the night the franchise clinched its 100th win over Magnolia in their Manila Clasico rivalry.
The Kings’ 87-77 drubbing of the Hotshots on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum gave the franchise the historic feat, which Cone believed should be attributed recognized father of Ginebra’s Never-Say-Die identity.
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“Most of those are gonna go to Sonny Jaworski, not me,” a humble Cone said when told about the Kings’ latest exploit. “He’s been there battling those guys since the Alvin (Patrimonio), Jerry (Codinera), Dindo (Pumaren) era.
“I wish I own 100 wins but I probably got more losses, piling up the losses in all of that match up recently. But it’s great to finally get that one.”
The rivalry of course, began way back in 1988 when Ginebra was at the peak of its popularity under Jaworski and the Purefoods franchise was in its first ever season in the league with a core built around Patrimonio, Codinera, and Jojo Lastimosa.
The two rival teams went on a head-on collision during the All-Filipino title series that same season when Jaworski and his underdog Ginebra unit – then carrying the Anejo Rhum banner – stunned the highly-favored Hotdogs coached by Cris Calilan in four games to win the championship.
Thirty five years later, the record stands at 104-100 in favor of the Purefoods franchise, as per PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
“So we’re minus four,” said Cone as he shrugged his shoulders. “It’s been a big one. It’s been a big rivalry.”
Under Cone though, Ginebra is 24-13 against Magnolia in 20 conferences stretching to eight seasons.
But the veteran coach admitted the Hotshots had gotten their numbers the past few conferences that it was a sigh of relief for him to sneak in a victory against their rivals on Easter Sunday.
“They handled us pretty well the past three or four conferences so it’s pretty sweet to come out and get this one and get that 100th victory,” said Cone.
“It’s been a great rivalry. We look forward to it and I know they (Hotshots) look forward to it as well.”
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