By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Trying to map out one play that he can use for Game 4, Meralco coach Norman Black called a timeout with 38.1 seconds in Game 3 of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
While it was a mere tactical timeout, Black made the ceasefire against Coach Tim Cone and Ginebra, and Meralco was just waiting for the final buzzer that will formalize the 94-81 win.
[Related Story: Meralco gets one back on Ginebra on Q4 breakaway]
Cone did not like the timeout and stared at the Bolts's bench instead of joining the Barangay's huddle. He kept on staring at the other side of the sideline until the buzzer sounded.
He then expressed his disgust on Black's move by refusing to shake his hand and instead said some words to him after the game. Cooler heads quickly stepped in to prevent the word war from escalating.
Asked for a comment regarding the post-game verbal tussle, Black said, "He didn't shake my hand as he was mad about the last timeout. That's his problem, not mine."
Despite the said incident, Black has high respect for Cone.
"Everybody knows that Tim is the all-time leader in wins and championships in the PBA. I've never in my life made any effort to tell him how to coach his team," Black further said.
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