AS SOON as champion coach Tim Cone sat down for his traditional post-game interview, the San Mig mentor paid trubite to former team coach and official Ely Capacio, who passed away on Sunday due to a massive stroke.
“I wish Ely Capacio was here,” Cone blurted out.
Capacio, alternate governor of San Miguel in the league board, died at age 58 at a time when the Mixers were in the middle of their Philippine Cup Finals series against Rain or Shine.
Cone said it would have been nice if the title-clinching win Wednesday night was witnessed by Capacio, who the San Mig coach referred to as one of his ‘greatest supporters’ in the team.
“I can’t help but think that we are going to have a big dinner with the bosses, and he will be the first to stand up, greet me, and give me a big hug and say, ‘I told you so,’” Cone said.
“He is one of my greatest supporters at San Mig. I love him to death,” said Cone.
The entire team paid their final respect to Capacio a day after its thrilling conquest of the all-Filipino title in six games against the Elasto Painters.
Capacio led the franchise to its first-ever Philippine Cup title in 1991 before becoming part of San Miguel Corporation’s corporate ranks two years after.
Curiously, Capacio took the coaching helm at Purefoods 23 years ago following the resignation of legendary Virgilio `Baby’ Dalupan, the same man whom Cone just surpassed as the winningest coach in PBA history after bagging his 16th title overall.
“I wish he would have been here to see this. I know he will be thrilled,” said Cone.
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