"I'M RESIGNING, for the betterment of the team. It's obvious the team is better off without me, so
I'm resigning," said B-Meg coach Tim Cone last Wednesday evening.

The 14-time champion coach was only jesting, of course. And even if he wasn't, it is highly doubtful
management would accept his resignation.

For one thing, Cone and his Llamados are poised to make a second straight finals appearance, a
possibility that takes more concrete form if they prevail over Meralco Friday in the PBA Governors
Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Should B-Meg does realize its goal, then it is also likely a second straight title could be had, a
first-ever for the franchise.

But first things first.

The match is a no-bearing one for Meralco, which has lost three straight in the five-game semis and
are already out of the running .

For B-Meg, it is one game it must win in order to secure at least a playoff spot for a finals
berth.

Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said his charges are bent on acting out the role of spoilers,
notwithstanding an 84-108 loss to Talk 'N Text last Wednesday.

"Our performance in the semis have been downright disappointing. Other teams have been running us
over by an average of double figures (20)," said Gregorio.

"We would like to finish our last two games with a flourish," he added. "Our defense must tighten.
Our strength has transformed into a weakness. We are focusing on defense to derail B-Meg. We are
focused on winning every time we step on the floor."

Despite those gallant words, all indications point to a B-Meg win.

The Llamados came from behind to hurdle last season's champion Petron via a 104-93 count last
Wednesday to follow up their 94-91 win over the Tropang Texters at the start of their semis
campaign.

What makes the win over the Boosters more impressive is the fact the Llamados fashioned it despite
the ejection of Cone with under two minutes left in the first half, where his team trailed by as
many as 19 points twice.

It was during the post-game interview that Cone made his joking remark, maintaining he did not have
anything to do with the win and instead pointed to his staff of Jeff Cariaso, Richard del Rosario,
Koy Banal and Johnny Abarrientos, as the ones who should be credited.

His assistants said otherwise.

While chorusing they merely calmed down their emotional players during the halftime break, they also
said they merely followed the gameplan Cone drew up.

The cumulative and collective efforts handsomely paid off for the Llamados and Friday's game should
bear the same fruitful result if they do a reprise.(NC)

Source: PBA.ph