TIM Cone has to set aside all the celebrations surrounding him following Gilas Pilipinas' golden feat in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Now Cone and the Kings turn their focus on the NorthPort Batang Pier as the PBA Governors Cup semifinals get underway on Saturday.
After more than a two-week break to give way to the country's hosting of the SEA Games, the Kings battle the eight-seeded Batang Pier at 6:30 p.m. in Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
And Cone is aware the Kings can't just dismiss the upset-conscious Batang Pier, who are on a high after ousting no. 1 seed NLEX in the quarterfinals.
"We know NorthPort is coming in with a lot of confidence and momentum after knocking out the no. 1 seed," said Cone, wary at how the Batang Pier had come together in the playoffs behind the big plays of Christian Standhardinger, Sean Anthony, and import Michael Qualls.
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But the champion coach is confident the Kings will be fine for the semis opener as assistant mentor Olsen Racela prepared the team in the two weeks Cone was away along with top deputy Richard Del Rosario doing their duties with the national team.
"Coach Olsen did a great job of keeping our guys sharp and ready during the SEA Games," said Cone, who steered Gilas Pilipinas to another gold medal in the biennial meet after beating Thailand in the final.
It's a good thing also that four Ginebra players in Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio, Stanley Pringle, and Greg Slaughter are with Cone in the national team.
"Those players who participated in the SEA Games are pumped up to get the semis going," said Cone.
Incidentally, this marks the first time Pringle will be up against NorthPort, the same team that selected him no. 1 overall pick in the 2014 Rookie Draft, in the semis after trading him way to Barangay Ginebra middle of this season. (GR)
