Alaska Ace's Mentor Tim Cone Resigns, Banal named as Aces's New Coach

Credits to the Image goes to the Philippine Basketball Association

The long-time mentor of one of the most successful franchises in the PBA decided to drop the drawing board, ending his 22-year career as Alaska Aces head coach. This is a sad news for all the Aces fans, as coach Cone has been part of Alaska franchise's dominance in the PBA over the past years - numerous finals appearances that gave the team 13 championships dating in 1989 that includes a rare grand slam in 1996, and barely missing a repeat in 1998. Alaska was the third franchise in the history of the PBA to haul a grand slam. Sadly, the mentor that made all these accomplishments possible had to leave the team.

Coach Time Cone still has two years remaining in his contract with the team,  but opted to ask the management for his release. According to team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu "Tim wants to explore other options, challenge himself, pursue other horizons. We're saddened, but we wish him well. We had quite a journey. There's never been a 22-year partnership like this in the PBA and I think there never will be" when asked on coach Tim's reason for leaving the team.

There's a speculation came out that the real reason behind his exit to the Aces was he's heading into other PBA team (some named BMEG but no confirmations yet). Coach Tim Cone denied the rumor however.

Meanwhile, Alaska team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu named Aces's long time assistant coach Joel Banal as  the team's new tactician. Banal has been on the same bench with Tim Cone for more than 10 years, so it'll be easy for the players to adjust to the system that Banal will implement. In addition, Banal is a proven winner as a head-coach; leading TalknText PhonePals to championships in 2002 and 2003.

"If the rumors are true that Coach Tim Cone heading to another PBA team, then I'm excited to watch this furious coach, in Alaska opponent's bench"

Content References:

http://www.pba.ph/news/entry/1123
http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/tim-cone-alaska-part-ways