THE stint of Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone as an assistant coach of the Miami Heat NBA Summer League team has gained the attention of the beat writers covering the team.

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel recently wrote a piece about Cone’s brief stint as an assistant coach in the NBA Summer League, with Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra speaking of the PBA’s winningest coach in high regard.

“I mean, he has won 24 championships,” Spoelstra told Winderman.

“He’s an absolute legend over there, and he’s still young as a coach. So he could still go for another 20 years. There’s no telling where he’ll end up at that point.”

Cone was quick to clarify to Winderman that the PBA plays three tournaments a year.

“So we have a chance for three championships a year,” said the 64-year-old Cone.

Spoelstra also talked about his friendship with Cone, which began in 2009 when he visited the Philippines through the NBA, and they learned that they are both from Oregon.

“I got to know him when I made my first trip over there with the NBA, and got to know him and his staff, and started going to his practices and his games. And then we just continued the friendship over the years,” said Spoelstra.

“We have connections through Oregon; I’m originally from Oregon, and through his mom, my dad’s cousin. So we’ve known each other,” said Cone.

The NBA Summer League, also known as the Las Vegas Summer League, is an off-season competition organized by the National Basketball Association. NBA Teams come together to try out different summer rosters instead of their season line-ups, including rookie, sophomore, and G League affiliate players.

All 30 Teams will be on the floor during Summer League this July.

The Jazz will host round-robin summer showcases the Jazz, Grizzlies, Thunder and 76ers.