TWO champion coaches are with Ginebra, while Petron’s head tactician just recently won and is indispensable for now.

So all things point to the direction of B-Meg, which for now is being led by a coach from a mid-table collegiate squad.

Tim Cone is apparently set to be eased into the San Miguel Corp. program starting with a consultancy job at B-Meg.

The BusinessMirror learned that Cone, who resigned from Alaska last week, will act as team consultant while College of St. Benilde coach Richard del Rosario runs the show for the Llamados in the coming All-Filipino tournament.

Cone stepped down as Aces mentor after 22 years and, according to multiple sources, he has been meeting with San Miguel executives regarding the jobs he could be assigned.

Llamados governor Rene Pardo met del Rosario on Tuesday to discuss the latter’s concerns at B-MEG. Del Rosario reportedly has apprehensions on the coaching job because there are rumors Cone will eventually take over in the second conference.

Del Rosario’s contract at St. Benide expires in mid-October. He is also the head coach of PC Gilmore in the Developmental League and will be dabbling as a television announcer and segment producer for TV5.

Del Rosario reportedly wanted a clearer picture as to his status as B-Meg coach—if it would be for the long term or not—for him to “chart his future.”

Del Rosario’s Blazers are still in contention for the semifinals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which does not allow its coaches to handle a pro team while the tournament is ongoing.

Same was the case of Ato Agustin, who was coach of San Sebastian College when he was tapped by Petron last year.

Llamados need Barroca

MARK BARROCA’S entry to the B-MEG camp just needs an approval from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Office.

This after the Llamados initiated a three-team deal that also involved Barako Bull and Shopinas that would send the Smart Gilas playmaker to the Llamados.

Commissioner Chito Salud said the trade papers have yet to reach his office although the proposal has already been crafted.

In the proposal, Barroca, who was picked fifth overall in the Draft by the Clickers, will go the Llamados, while Barako Bull will get Don Carlos Allado and B-MEG’s future second-round pick.

Shopinas, formerly Barako Bull (Air21 will parade Barako Bull this coming season), will acquire the Llamados’ second-round pick Brian Ilad and Barako’s Elmer Espiritu.

The BusinessMirror learned that B-MEG really pursued Barroca to add depth to its backcourt tandem of veteran Roger Yap and Josh Urbiztondo. Barroca will also be a good man at the point guard, while Jonas Villanueva is still recuperating from injury.

With the impending addition of Barroca, the Llamados loom as the team to watch in the Philippine Cup with Rico Maierhofer and Kerby Raymundo also returning to the lineup.

Maierhofer, who just got a two-year extension, has fully recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury while Raymundo was sidelined by a third-degree sprain.

Raymundo will join the team’s practice on September 22 and if he has fully recovered, he will be suiting up for the October 2 opening.