Alaska mentor Cone slams PBA's handicapping system

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to return to its old three-conference format and apply a handicapping system that will benefit low-ranked teams. The twin ideas pushed by newly-installed league commissioner Chito Salud looks interesting for players and coaches, except for Alaska's mutli-titled mentor Tim Cone. "The three-conference format is good for the teams, but I still like the two-conference format as it makes it difficult for teams to win championships," Cone told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview. "And I'm not a fan of handicapping. It allows teams to stay bad and then give them reasons to be good later. Anytime you handicap, it takes away competitive edge and it perpetuates mediocrity," added Cone, owner of Alaska's 13 championships in the PBA. The Grand Slam mentor added that there are teams right now whose interest is just to "make money and not win championships." "We've seen these with the one-sided trades that are happening. If we allow handicapping, it will perpetuate mediocrity that’s been going on for several years now," said Cone. Cone hopes the new commissioner would take a good look at such one-sided trades. "I think that it needs to be addressed," said Cone. "I hope the new commissioner will do something about it." Buckling down to work Cone and the rest of the Aces arrived few days ago after spending a vacation in the United States. They went to Disneyland in Florida as part of their bonus for winning the Fiesta Cup crown. The Aces will have their first practice session as a complete squad on Wednesday. "Several guys are arriving from the United States. After a few practice sessions, we will fly to Cebu and play the Niños in a tune-up game," said Cone. The winningest mentor among active coaches is excited to see all of his players, particularly new guys like Elmer Espiritu and Bonbon Custodio. "Elmer (Espiritu) is as athletic as advertised," said Cone. "He's long and athletic. Bonbon (Custodio) is playing good as well. We haven't seen Marvin Hayes yet as he's currently playing for JRU." Reunion with Alaska's greats Former Most Valuable Player (MVP) awardees Johnny Abarrientos and Kenneth Duremdes, Jojo Lastimosa, Bong Hawkins, Poch Juinio and Sean Chambers, great cagers who played for Cone's team that established a dynasty in the '90s, and other former Alaska superstars will all be in one room on September 28 as the organization fetes its 25 Greatest Players ever. "Imagine Johnny, Jojo, Kenneth, Sean and all those guys who played for us, together in one room, I can't wait for that moment," said Cone. "I'm also excited to see the older players." Aside from the '90s squad, Alaska is also expected to fete three-time MVP and Hall of Famer Bogs Adornado, two-time MVP Abet Guidaben, and Yoyoy Vilamin, among others. - JVP/KY/Rey Joble, GMANews.TV