TIM Cone comes face to face again with one of his favorite imports of all time.
Barangay Ginebra tackles Rain or Shine on Friday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup in a game that will have Cone going up against Elasto Painters' import Denzel Bowles, the former Best Import who first played for the champion coach during his stint with the Purefoods franchise in his season debut seven years ago.
That partnership produced a championship right in Cone's first season with the ballclub, where the American mentor would reap success later on by steering the team to a grand slam in 2014.
It's no surprise that Cone always waxes nostalgic everytime his team would play against Bowles.
"One of my favorite all-time imports," said Cone of the 30-year-old Bowles.
"Looking forward to seeing Denzel on the court. I'll never forget that first championship he won for us," added the coach of that memorable 2012 Commissioner's Cup finals won by B-Meg in overtime following two crucial packed free throws by Bowles that sent Game 7 into extra period.
Bowles has not enjoyed the same kind of success in the many times he returned to the league, but remains one of the most potent imports around that Cone feels wary about him in the Kings' 7 p.m. game against the Elasto Painters at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"We know how talented he is and how unstoppable he can be," said Cone.
"So we have our work cut out for us," he added as the Kings seek a third straight win after dropping their first game against league leader Blackwater.
Rain or Shine meanwhile, is winless in two games, although Cone warned not to be deceived by its record.
"RoS has always been a tough match up for us, but now even more so with Bowles," the Ginebra coach pointed out.
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