TIM Cone will miss out on the opener of PBA Season 49, but is expected to return in time for Barangay Ginebra's debut game in the Governors' Cup.
The veteran coach left for the US last week to attend the wedding of his daughter in Washington D.C. and won't be back in the Philippines until early next week.
That means Cone won't be around when the league opens its new season on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
But the national team mentor said he'll definitely be around for the Gin Kings' opening game against Rain or Shine in Candon, Ilocos Sur on August 24.
READ: Candon, Ilocos Sur hosts first PBA Season 49 out-of-town game between Ginebra, RoS
"I won't be in the opening. I'll be arriving one day after," said Cone. "So I will be in Ilocos. I'll be here for that."
In his stead, lead deputy Richard del Rosario has taken on the task of preparing Ginebra for its first game against the Elasto Painters
And of course, Cone has a lot of trust in his top lieutenant.
"Every time I've done this, I think this is the third time, and every time Richard takes over, when I've come back, the team is better," he admitted.
"I guarantee you. They're better. He makes them work harder, he makes them run more. They follow him. So when I come back, they're better. He makes them better."
Cone's daughter is a lawyer and her marriage will be the first in the family, according to the PBA's winningest coach.
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