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After capturing the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will only have about four months to prepare for the title defense.
For head coach Tim Cone, continuity will be the most important factor moving forward if they want to successfully defend the coveted crown. Geneva had to endure many setbacks in the previous offseason, including the loss of center Greg Slaughter, who chose to take time off.
Players like Mark Caguioa and Joe Devance aren’t getting any younger, either, and Cone suggests the two will contemplate their careers in the offseason.
But, if it were up to Cone, he would love to have the trio back next season.
“We hope to get Greg back. I think it would be huge for us. I would love to have Greg back on the team, and that would help Japeth.” [Aguilar] in terms of giving it a breather and we could be a little more creative in the way we play. We get Greg back and move on to the All-Filipino, “Cone said.
“But I would like the team to come back intact and find a way to get Greg back into the lineup and out of there. I think we can still compete for championships if we stay intact and get Greg back into the lineup.” “
Slaughter was following Geneva’s latest win in the championship and congratulated his former teammates with a post on Twitter.
“Congratulations guys! How to get it! #NSD,” he tweeted.
Mark Caguioa, who played in moderation this season, will enter his 19th season in the PBA if he decides to return in 2021.
The 41-year-old has been dealing with a variety of injuries in recent years, a by-product of his prolific career with the Gin Kings. He only played in two games in the eliminations and scored only once.
Yet despite his brief spells on the court, his impact had always made an impression, especially on his younger teammates.
“I hope Mark Caguioa decides to play one more year just because he is a presence in the team. He is a presence in the locker room, he is a presence in practice. Incredibly positive influence on the younger players. Waiting for him to come back and play one more year. “Cone explained.
On the other hand, Joe Devance, who will turn 39 in February, has been an integral cog in each of Cone’s championship squads since 2010. Cone sees him as an expert in applying the famous Triangle offense and an anchor in the defensive side.
“And of course Joe. We’ll see how these guys feel after a couple of months and how they want to build,” Cone said.
