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Barangay Geneva coach Tim Cone said the biggest challenge for them now is staying motivated even without their legion of fans in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) bubble.
“It’s different. There is no crowd. So we have to tell our bench to stay engaged and encouraged. We are our own crowd,” Cone said after the Gin Kings kicked off their Philippines Cup campaign with a beating of 102-92 to the NLEX Road Warriors in front of the empty seats at the Angeles University Foundation Arena here.
It was a rare sight for the defending Governor’s Cup champion, as the games took place behind closed doors with only virtual fans projected onto five LED panels.
“I think that’s the biggest setting for us right now, trying to build excitement as the game unfolds. We are used to being given it. Now we have to generate it ourselves ”, he added.
Fortunately for the multi-title mentor, he has veteran guard Mark Caguioa to keep the Kings going.
“Mark Caguiao is always in our ears: ‘We have to do it for the fans, we have to do it for the fans. So he’s that guy who always remembers us. ”
The 62-year-old American strategist, who holds the most PBA titles with 22 singled out by two Grand Slams, is urging his other seasoned pupils to emulate the 40-year-old Caguioa.
“It really comes from leadership. Those leaders have to step up and cheer on their teammates, whether they’re on the bench. That’s the way we hope to make up for not having fans. ”
Geneva could have more fans inside the AUF gym in the coming weeks, as PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, who was celebrating his birthday on Monday, revealed that some 250 virtual fans will be staying starting on October 19.
“We will tell our social networks how they will get in,” Marcial said.
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