Once in a generation player: Tim Cone compares Kiefer to Johnny A

 

PBA coach Tim Cone was all praises for the collegiate players in the hastily-assembled squad that faced a team coached by NBA legend Allen Iverson for the All-in Basketball Charity Game held Wednesday in Manila.

 

The Purefoods coach reserved special distinction for reigning UAAP Season 77 Most Valuable Player Kiefer Ravena, who nailed the game-winning basket for the team.

 

"Kiefer, hands down, he's a special player," Cone said. "Like a Johnny Abarrientos, one of those once-in-a-generation type of players."

 

Cone coached Abarrientos during the '90s Alaska dynasty that won the PBA Grand Slam in 1996, the same year the spitfire point guard became the smallest Most Valuable Player in league history. Abarrientos currently serves as Cone's assistant at Purefoods.

 

The American coach sees Ravena becoming one of the elite players in the local basketball scene.

 

"Kiefer is gonna be a mainstay on the national team for year's to come, that's for sure," Cone said of the Ateneo star, who made no secret of his desire to play for Gilas Pilipinas. "He's an uncommon talent."

 

Ravena shattered a 96-all tie after penetrating the defense for a layup with 1.3 seconds left. He finished with 16 points for the Filipino team.

 

"From the moment he got the ball he decided he was gonna take that last shot," Cone said of Ravena. "He created a great shot for himself.

 

"You don't need to call a timeout that time when you have a guy like that," he said. Put the ball in his hands and he's gonna create something."

 

Impressed by college stars

 

Cone was also impressed by other college stars on his team, making special mentions of Far Eastern University's Mac Belo, La Salle's Jeron Teng, National University's Troy Rosario, and San Sebastian's CJ Perez.

 

"I thought Mac Belo was the guy that kept us in the game," Cone said of the Tamaraw, who scored 11 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and provided a stabilizing presence for the team.

 

"I like Troy a lot," the coach added. "CJ I thought was impressive as well."

 

The Filipino squad, dubbed Team PCWorx, was outclassed in the first quarter as Iverson's Team Gawad Kalinga peppered them with dunks. 

 

"In the beginning we we're trying to play like them and play cool, trying to make fantastic moves, and they had their way," said Cone. "But I think as the second quarter came along, the guys started going out playing the game the way they know it."

 

Serious game

 

The Purefoods coach remained serious about winning even a charity game, encouraging his players to have the same attitude.

 

"I kept telling the young guys that they don't wanna walk away with the memory of getting beat up badly in this game," he said with the growth of the players in mind.

 

"This is gonna be an experience these young men will never ever forget," he said. "The fact that they beat an Allen Iverson-coached team, the ballers, that's gonna be a great thing for them."

 

The team received help from NBA player DerMarr Johnson, who also played for Barako Bull in the PBA. He led all scorers with 24 points and grabbed 13 boards.

 

The Filipino team went up against Ball Up Streetball All-Stars Grayson "The Professor" Boucher, Larry "Bone Collector" Williams, Taurian "Air Up There" Fontenette, Ryan "Special FX" Williams, Aaron "AO" Owens, Gary "G-Smith" Smith, and Anthony "Mr. Afrika" Phimble.

 

Former PBA players Jerry Codinera, Renren Ritualo, and Willie Miller served as reinforcements for the American team, while Johnson was joined by NBA star Eddy Curry for the Filipino team.

 

Completing the Pinoy lineup are Ravena's brother Thirdy, La Salle's Almond Vosotros, and San Beda's Ola Adeogun and Javee Mocon.

 

The charity game was organized by PCWorx for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga foundation. — JST, GMA News