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Cone, Alaska end 22-year partnership; Banal named Aces' new coach



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Tim Cone, who pioneered the Triangle Offense in the PBA, decided to leave Alaska to look for other challenges in his two-decades long coaching career. The American mentor, who ended his storied career with one of the PBA's most successful franchises, said he wanted to "explore more options." Aces assistant coach Luigi Trillo confirmed to GMA News Online that Cone asked to be released. Cone, who helped Alaska became onlythe third PBA franchise to win a Grand Slam in 1996, still has two more years left in his contract. No less than Alaska team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu made the announcement Thursday in a press conference at Corinthian Plaza that the Aces released Cone. "We just felt that we had to address it professionally and we're confirming that we have released coach Tim as coach of Alaska," said Uytengsu, Uytengsu said he met Cone last week where his longtime friend asked to be released. "(Cone) said he wanted to explore other options, pursue new horizons and it really caught me by surprise." Cone, who was also present during the press conference, has nothing but kind words for the franchise whom he helped win 13 PBA championships. "This whole thing has been an emotional thing for me. Things have to be done and see what opportunities out there." The 13 PBA titles won by Cone is two short of the 15 accomplished by the legendary Baby Dalupan. Cone, who was 31 when he coached the team in 1989 when the Aces were still known as the Alaska Air Force, said he felt that at this point in his life it's time to do something different. "It's true that I'm looking for challenges and the 22 years of tutelage under Wilfred taught me how to do things in the right way and that's something I would carry wherever I go." Cone will be leaving an Alaska team that has three of the league's best players today in LA Tenorio, Sonny Thoss and Cyrus Baguio. Joel Banal, the most senior member of Cone's coaching staff, will call the shots for the Aces in the All-Filipino Conference starting on October 2. It will be Banal's second PBA team after Talk 'N Text, a team that the former Mapua Cardinal guided to the 2003 All-Filipino title. - RAF/JVP, GMA News
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