Alaska fans chat with Coach Tim

[Read the partial transcript of the live chat of coach Tim Cone after the story below.]

Alaska Aces fans got their chance to interact directly with coach Tim Cone when the Alaska mentor had his chat, “eTalk with Coach Tim” held 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5.

As in the previous chat participated in by all of the players of the Alaska Aces, the event was held at the Alaska Milk headquarters, 6th floor, Corinthian Plaza in Makati. Coach Tim was also provided with a Webcam so that fans can see that it was really the Alaska mentor typing at the keyboard answering their questions.

Most of the chatters were from Metro Manila. But many were from the provinces and some from abroad including a fan who now lives in California. The exchange was friendly and open. There was a lot of joking around. A fan even requested that Coach Tim chat in Tagalog because she was experiencing a nosebleed from reading too much English.

The most popular question was which team, Talk n Text or Ginebra, coach Tim preferred to meet in the semifinals.

“Hard to call, parang heads or tails,” said coach Tim. “Both have strengths and weaknesses that you have to account for. I’m not sure one is tougher than the other. Both are tough, but we’ll take whichever emerges.”

Another frequent line of questioning was about favorite players. Bernadette Pascasio asked if John Ferriols and Brandon Cablay were still injured.

“John is still hobbling and we’re working hard to get him going,” said coach Tim. “Brandon is healthy and he could be our secret weapon in this series. He just needs to reestablish his timing and confidence.”

Anjo Gomez asked about the Alaska practices. “Coach how’s the practice of Alaska Aces right now? Do you speak tagalog?”

Coach Tim replied that he could communicate in Filipino but English is still his preferred language. “Our practices have been going great. I really like the way the players have been preparing,” added coach Tim.

Buhawi_angel asked about the mindset of the team going to the semifinals and said that he wanted the Aces to show in the semifinals the killer instinct that they displayed in the first round.

“The team is very focused and ready to play in the semifinals. Killer instinct is crucial in the playoffs. We’re working on it!” said coach Tim.

Denver Miguel asked if the team can it make it to the finals. “Can we go all the way for the trophy? Can we avoid the meltdown that happened this year after the team had a long break?”

“We’ve got a great chance. We’re well-rested and focused and I think we’re ready to get going,” said coach Tim.

Fran Reyes asked who was coach Tim’s inspiration especially in his coaching.

“Baby Dalupan was my idol growing up,” said coach Tim. “I was always a fan of Pat Riley. But right now, my mentor is Tex Winter and by extension, Phil Jackson.”

Fans joined the live chat by logging in to Yahoo Messenger, http://messenger.yahoo.com/ or http://webmessenger.yahoo.com. They just added coachtim.cone@yahoo.com and started chatting.

The Alaska mentor said he values the effort of the Alaska organization to reach out to the fans through the Internet and other media.

“This is something that we like to encourage. This is something that is unique to us and that we are very proud of. And we hope we can continue with this,” said coach Tim.

Below is the partial transcript of his chat with fans.

krenj m (2/5/2010 10:02:25 AM): goodmorning po!
krenj m (2/5/2010 10:02:40 AM): gobless on your game!
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:03:10 AM): Good morning!
krenj m (2/5/2010 10:09:57 AM): when is the semis?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:16:07 AM): We’re still waiting for the end of the TnT/Ginebra series!
krenj m (2/5/2010 10:17:14 AM): ah ok..I hope I can watch your games in the semis..I know you can make it to the finals..You’re the BEST, eh!
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:32:46 AM): Thanks, we’re working hard getting ready.
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 11:04:23 AM): Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.
krenj m (2/5/2010 11:05:14 AM): oh, it’s ok
krenj m (2/5/2010 11:05:27 AM): godbless again on your game..ingats po always

bernadette pascasio (2/5/2010 9:58:02 AM): Good morning coach tim
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 9:58:16 AM): just a moment
bernadette pascasio (2/5/2010 9:58:22 AM): ok
bernadette pascasio (2/5/2010 10:08:13 AM): how is the team going coach?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:13:11 AM): So far so good. I think we’ve handled this break much better than the break we had during Xmas. Guys are really working hard.
bernadette pascasio (2/5/2010 10:13:44 AM): how is john ferriols and brandon cablay, are they still injured?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:14:40 AM): John is still hobbling and we’re working hard to get him going. B is healthy and he could be our secret weapon in this series. He just needs to reestablish his timing and confidence.
bernadette pascasio (2/5/2010 10:15:57 AM): if you wud to choose sir, who wud you like to be your opponent this semis? talk n txt or ginebra?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:21:44 AM): Hard to call, parang heads or tails. Both have strengths and weaknesses that you have to account for.
bernadette pascasio (2/5/2010 10:23:56 AM): Well ive been an avid fans of alaska eversince and i witnessed how you won the grandslam yr 1996… so i have a full confident that you can get this one… I will pray for your teams success
bernadette pascasio (2/5/2010 10:24:12 AM): and for food health to each player and to you sir
bernadette pascasio (2/5/2010 10:24:35 AM): i mean goodn health
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:36:38 AM): Thanks. Hopefully we can win this one for all the Aces fans.
bernadette pascasio (2/5/2010 10:39:46 AM): I ll be there to support your team all the time….one more question coach, are you still practicing at reyes gym…
bernadette pascasio (2/5/2010 10:53:19 AM): anyway, ill just wish and will pray for the aces to win every championship, more power and Godbless… regards sir to all the players
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 11:04:10 AM): Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.
bernadette pascasio (2/5/2010 11:04:55 AM): its ok coach Godbless and more power to your taem
bernadette pascasio (2/5/2010 11:05:01 AM): team

Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:03:51 AM): coach
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:03:56 AM): do you speak tagalog?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:04:00 AM): Hello
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:04:05 AM): i have a lot of question
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:04:11 AM): for alaska aces
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:04:30 AM): im the one of the million fans die hard fans of aces
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:05:37 AM): coach tim we are you ??
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:08:01 AM): hey coach your so busy.. im so eager to talked one on one of my idol through out coach of the pba
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:10:56 AM): hey coach give some time to talk to you
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:10:59 AM): please
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:11:39 AM): reply to my message i have a lot of question and even to know about alaska aces
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:34:40 AM): Sorry Anjo, so many questions. I’m trying to get to everyone>
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:34:49 AM): hey coach
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:35:11 AM): coach please
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:35:16 AM): give some time
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:35:24 AM): for a while
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:35:40 AM): Sure. Do you have a question?
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:35:46 AM): yes
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:36:17 AM): coach how’s the practice of alaska aces right now?
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:37:43 AM): coach do you speak tagalog?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:47:38 AM): Our practices have been going great. I really like the way the players have been preparing.
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:47:39 AM): coach give some time
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:49:27 AM): hahaha.. nice because the two teams battled are same great the bgk nd tnt
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:51:21 AM): Yes, both teams are tough!!! We’ll need to be at the top of our game to beat them!
Anjo Gomez (2/5/2010 10:51:55 AM): coach i just wanted to share my idea. all we know alaska aces are lack of center that we can chance to sonny joachin thoss when he was already tired, can you peak homer se coach please backup center to sonny thoss thank you
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 11:05:49 AM): Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.

buhawi_angel (2/5/2010 10:01:17 AM): hi coach! a pleasant morning to you.. how are you doing?
buhawi_angel (2/5/2010 10:04:49 AM): how’s the team now going to the semis?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:05:45 AM): We’re doing great. Guys are working hard. We’re ready to play today! Wish we could.
buhawi_angel (2/5/2010 10:09:39 AM): hi coach! a pleasant morning to you.. how are you doing? 10:12 AMhow’s the team now going to the semis?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:32:18 AM): Hey there! We seem to be be very focused for this semis. I like the way they have prepared.
buhawi_angel (2/5/2010 10:35:02 AM): wow! that’s 1 factor i guess that keeps you going right from the first round. coach, just my opinion, id like to see the team’s killer instinct in the end game most especially this coming playoff/s.
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:45:57 AM): Killer instinct is crucial in the playoffs. We’re working on it!
buhawi_angel (2/5/2010 11:01:39 AM): well you have plenty of young guys to work on that. i saw you on tv scouting the games alongside w/ coach banal & coach siot =). do you have diff. game plan for either TNT or BGK? which do you prefer?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 11:03:07 AM): Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.
buhawi_angel (2/5/2010 11:04:53 AM): ok. regards to the team. we can all do it together w/ hardwork & prayers.. Goodluck.

Denver Miguel (2/5/2010 9:59:06 AM): hello coach
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:17:11 AM): Hello Denver. Do you like Nuggets?
Denver Miguel (2/5/2010 10:17:23 AM): yes coach
Denver Miguel (2/5/2010 10:17:33 AM): favorite team nuggets and aces
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:28:09 AM): Really! The Nuggets have a great chance this year!
Denver Miguel (2/5/2010 10:28:39 AM): yes coach but the lakers is still der
Denver Miguel (2/5/2010 10:33:58 AM): coach wat are our chances for dis conference?
Denver Miguel (2/5/2010 10:34:30 AM): can we make it to the finals? and go all the way 4 the trophy?
Denver Miguel (2/5/2010 10:45:36 AM): can we make it to the finals? and go all the way 4 the trophy?
Denver Miguel (2/5/2010 10:47:41 AM): can we make it to the finals? and go all the way 4 the trophy?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:50:39 AM): We’ve got a great chance. We’re well-rested and focused and I think we’re ready to get going.
Denver Miguel (2/5/2010 10:56:32 AM): can we make it to the finals? and go all the way 4 the trophy?
Denver Miguel (2/5/2010 10:59:38 AM): coach cn we avoid the melt-down dat happened dis year wen the team had a long break?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 11:02:32 AM): Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.

heman ines (2/5/2010 10:08:05 AM): hello coach..
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:08:45 AM): do you have pending trades in our team??
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:09:47 AM): goodluck in the semis..
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:14:26 AM): when is your fan’s day??
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:23:58 AM): pstt….
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:32:14 AM): goodluck in our team.
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:35:18 AM): No trades. We’re very happy with our guys. They are working hard!!
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:40:07 AM): hope our team will be the champion dis conference..
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:40:23 AM): will you get roselle ellis back next conference???
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:41:07 AM): will roselle ellis play again in our team in the next conference??
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:45:42 AM): who’s our next import..??
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:48:14 AM): We haven’t made a decision regarding our import yet. Rosell is certainly in the mix. He is well-loved by his teammates.
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:48:39 AM): we hope that roselle ellis will be back…he is loved by the fans..
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:49:39 AM): we love alaska aces…
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:50:13 AM): especially the thriller and L.A. and ol the players..
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:52:33 AM): Rosell is a super guy, but he’s almost 34 years old, so we’ll have to decide if we want a veteran or a younger player to build around.
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:53:32 AM): Rosell is do it all coach….Rosell came late so we’ve been eliminated..
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:56:03 AM): Rosell mastered the triangle…if we get a younger player , it has a big adjustment again.. Chemistry will be affected..
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:59:48 AM): thanks coach…goodluck…and we hope will be the champions..
heman ines (2/5/2010 10:59:54 AM): we love alaska..
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 11:04:40 AM): Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.
heman ines (2/5/2010 11:04:58 AM): ok..thanks coach..goodluck..
heman ines (2/5/2010 11:05:27 AM): when is the fans day??

april buendia (2/5/2010 10:08:11 AM): hi coach
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:09:32 AM): Hi! Thanks for joining.
april buendia (2/5/2010 10:10:19 AM): been a fan alaska since i was in 6th grade
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:15:31 AM): Wow! During the Grand Slam days?
april buendia (2/5/2010 10:18:40 AM): yeah , i never forget that. 1996 is the best year
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:35:58 AM): that was a fun year and a fun team!!!
april buendia (2/5/2010 10:47:22 AM): yeah, great team and players. btw , good job coach, for winning over tnt it was a great play .. for .5 seconds
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:49:07 AM): Thanks. Coach Chot had a good one over the Gins, too.
april buendia (2/5/2010 10:54:17 AM): i watch that play over and over on you tube
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:58:07 AM): Alley oop plays are always fun, but they don’t always work!
april buendia (2/5/2010 10:59:34 AM): yeah thanks to L.A for playing great that night
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 11:03:55 AM): Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.
april buendia (2/5/2010 11:04:33 AM): Thanks too coach!

jeanette galvan (2/5/2010 10:08:14 AM): every alaska game, we are always on the edge…edge of our wits and seats. As the song goes “please be careful with our hearts” hehehe good luck!!
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:09:11 AM): Thanks. You can imagine what my heart is going through as well!
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 11:06:07 AM): Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.
jeanette galvan (2/5/2010 11:07:06 AM): Thanks for your time, Coach Tim. good luck!!

jeanpardo (2/5/2010 9:58:50 AM): • Good Morning Coach Tim J Am Jean-Pierre, a follower of Aces… am really looking forward for the wins of the team in your future games. I do write blogs for LivingAsiaChannel.net at MyLAC portion as a hobby, will it be okay to ask you a few questions (around 5) for the site? Thank you!
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:06:55 AM): Sure, but I’ve got others here so I’ll try to answer as I go!
jeanpardo (2/5/2010 10:08:21 AM): Thank you so much po. You can answer any of them na lang po:• What are the things that can make Alaska Aces be the Champs this season?-their edge against the other PBA teams? • Being with the league for so many years… How do you see the PBA then, & now? PBA -5/ 10 years in the future? • As a winning coach in PBA, what advice can you give the young coaches in Pinoy Basketball who would like to reach the place you have managed to be at in your career? • Your vision of your stay in PBA within the next 5-10 years?-Still be with the Aces as a coach? • Years from now, how would you like to be remembered?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:12:31 AM): Wow, great questions. Perhaps you can email them to me so I can answer in depth!
jeanpardo (2/5/2010 10:13:29 AM): Thank you Coach Tim I will do email them… All the best to you & your team. God bless!
jeanpardo (2/5/2010 10:13:42 AM): Have a nice weekend po
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:22:15 AM): do you have my email address?
jeanpardo (2/5/2010 10:22:34 AM): oh no po… what is it po? Thank you
jeanpardo (2/5/2010 10:22:53 AM): I thought this one is your email po…
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:26:19 AM): et_cone@alaskamilk.com.ph
jeanpardo (2/5/2010 10:27:03 AM): Thank you Coach Tim I will email it there po. Thankz po ulet
jeanpardo (2/5/2010 10:28:48 AM): Coach, I did send it already… thank you very much-have a nice day!!
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:43:23 AM): Ok, thanks. I’ll try to get to it tonight.
jeanpardo (2/5/2010 10:43:43 AM): Thank you Coach Tim
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 11:02:21 AM): Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.
jeanpardo (2/5/2010 11:02:40 AM): God bless Coach!!

jheff nabayra (2/5/2010 10:10:48 AM): its a great opportunity to chat with you coach tim.,., i just want to congratulate you and our team for being successful in the elimination round in the pba., i hope we can get out 13th championship.,., gudluck to our next game.,. more power to YOU and to all ACES players
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:11:29 AM): Thanks so . We’re working hard getting ready for the semis!
jheff nabayra (2/5/2010 10:18:55 AM): its gonna be a tough match up if either tnt or gin face the aces. we hope willie and the rest of the team will stay on the winning track and make it through the finals.,.
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:37:22 AM): Very true. Willie is going to have to be at the top of his game for us to win. He’s been working hard all week.
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 11:06:42 AM): Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.

john kenneth kenneth (2/5/2010 10:36:04 AM): good morning Coach.. what team do you prefer to face in the semi finals and finals?
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:41:40 AM): Tough call since both are very tough. Our focus is on TnT since they are leading the series.
john kenneth kenneth (2/5/2010 10:45:50 AM): then Coach, if TnT won that series. What do you think of Mac Cardona? Do you have a gameplan against him especially on how to defend him? He’s unstoppable on your last outing although the team won that game. By the way nice play on that last possession. I appreciate you reply to me. Thanks Coach.

roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 10:00:57 AM): coach, what do you think of john arigo’s possible come back to our team?..
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:02:07 AM): I understand John is in the States. We spoke before the conference about joining Alaska. Maybe sometime in the future.
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 10:06:05 AM): wow! that’s good news.. im looking forward to see john playing in our team again!..
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 10:11:29 AM): coach, let me introduce myself to you first.. im rose anne lapidante, 23yrs. old from valenzuela.. loyal fan since 1996
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 10:16:19 AM): coach, about willie miller trade.. are there any possibilities that it will open again? im hoping not…
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:16:45 AM): No, Willie is here to stay! He’s our guy.
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 10:20:30 AM): yes! better luck next time to the other teams whose wanting our ‘thriller miller’!.. hahahahaha
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:23:29 AM): He is well-loved by his teammates and the coaching staff.
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 10:25:13 AM): coach, are the team ready for semis? we noticed that they played very relax basketball in the last 5 games!..
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 10:28:59 AM): ofcourse were fans also loved willie miller too! i loved those eyebrowse of willie, the serious look of willie!..hahaha
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:29:09 AM): That is something we have tried to address and we think the guys are ready now to play their best basketball.
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 10:34:30 AM): coach, whose your bet? tnt or bgk?… we beat tnt twice while our record with bgk is 1-1…
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 10:37:37 AM): coach, im nosebleeding right now! would you mind if you reply in ‘tagalog’?…hahahaha …just kidding…hehe
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 10:44:31 AM): coach, are you open for the possibilities that mike cortez will play for us again? im sad that he was traded to smb eh..
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:45:12 AM): HAHA! Medyo mahirap iyan! My nose will bleed!! I love Mike. I’d love to have him back.
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 10:49:11 AM): haha.. your tagalog is good coach, pwede na!hahaha maybe not now for mike but i will still wait for his comeback!
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 10:56:17 AM): Mike is the one guy we’d really like back. He would be great playing with either LA or Willie.
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 10:57:29 AM): coach, thanks for this memorable moment chatting with you! i hope i can see you in person! i love you coach! keep it up!
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 11:00:39 AM): maybe both! mike, willie, l.a… alaska aces’ awesome threesome! hows that coach!?…hehe
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 11:03:02 AM): Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.
roseannelapidante (2/5/2010 11:04:57 AM): thanks coach!… staysafe! keep up the good work!.. love yahhh… mwaaah…
coachtim.cone (2/5/2010 11:05:08 AM): Thanks for joining. Sorry it was short. And I apologize if I didn’t get to all of your questions. We will do it again soon.