After refusing to shake hands with Norman Black, Tim Cone sends apology
AFTER his shocking move of refusing to shake the hand of long-time rival Norman Black at the end of Game 3 of their best-of-seven championship series, Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone issued an apology to the veteran bench tactician whom he had admired long before he became the winningest coach in PBA history.
“I regret my actions after Game 3 ended. Yes, I was upset about the time out that was called late in the game, but there is no one in the PBA that I respect more than Norman Black. I got caught up in the moment and could have handled it differently. I apologize, and will do so to him personally,” Mr. Cone wrote in a text message to BusinessWorld.
Mr. Cone showed his displeasure, feeling upset about the time out called by Mr. Black late in the game. During the traditional meet ups of coaches, the two-time grand slam coach refused to shake hands with Mr. Black, an 11-time PBA champion.
Mr. Black was pissed off with the actions made by his counterpart.
“I think everybody knows Tim is the winningest coach. I’ve never in my life told him how to coach his team. He didn’t shake my hand because he was mad at the last time out. That’s his problem, not mine,” Mr. Black told sportswriters.
Messrs. Cone and Black were long-time rivals and together, the two had collected a total of 30 league championships.
Mr. Black, who has started playing as an import in the PBA in 1981, began to embark in coaching, serving as import/playing coach of San Miguel in 1987. In 1989, he became the third coach in PBA history to win a grand slam while guiding the Beermen.
Mr. Cone succeeded Mr. Black as the next coach to complete a triple crown seven years after then waited another 18 years to repeat the feat, this time with new team San Mig Coffee.
But Mr. Cone never hides his admiration from Mr. Black, whom he had to chase for number of championships when the former started his coaching career in 1989. —