Cone keeps Gilas’ 'Deadly Dozen'

AMIDST widespread speculation and rumours circulating throughout social media platform and mainstream media, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone remained firm in his decision to keep the current 12-man roster intact.

Cone’s final answer to retain the present 12-man line up, came after the nationals' strong showing in the just- concluded FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) last week held in Riga, Latvia.

One of the many reasons. Why Cone is standing decisive to keep the team, despite incurring injuries, even before the team could take off to Latvia, is due to a very short and limited time to teach and practice the system.

Cone emphasized the said decision during his one-on-one interview with mainstream sportswriters, social media bloggers, TV and radio commentators among others.

“There will no addition nor expanding the pool players we have right now, due a limited time to practice and teach the system. But I’m not discounting the idea to bring in replacements in cases, what happened just before left for Latvia,” Cone said.

After Gilas’ strong performance in recent OQT, Cone proved his point that his present core of players that we (Pilipinas) can compete and beat the Europeans and world’s team. As the nationals pulled a majort upset by scoring an 89-80 over host and world no.6 Latvia.

Gilas’ victory over Latvia marked and recorded as the first against an European team after 64-years. Last time a Philippine quintet won over European squad was during the 1960 Rome Olympics, The Filipinos beat Spain, 92-84.

Though Gilas lost to Georgia, 94-96. But the Goga Bitadze- led Georgians failed to dislodge Gilas for a seat in the cross-over semifinals by virtue of a better quotient.

But Gilas, missing 7-3"Kai Sotto due to contusion on ribs following an accident collision with 6”10’ Bitdatze, was denied by Brazil, 60-71, for a ticket to Paris Olympics.

The defeats was deeply lamented by Cone, who could only wished the players where remain healthy and Kai didn’t met an accident, as don’t to gamble on laters’ condition.

But nevertheless, many believed ( including Above the Rim), that it was an impressive showing by our nationals and we’re now truly a world class team and ready to comeback next time, even stronger than ever.

I believed Cone was aware that there were speculation and rumours circulating among the sports media platform that he’s contemplating on adding and creating a bigger pool of players, in the light of injuries incurred by key players.

In fact three key players, in the likes of point-guard Scottie Thompson, who sustained a slip disk. Early on Jaime Malonso (nagging knee-injury lasted for months) and A.J Edu ( tore hamstring), immediately replaced by veteran Japeth Aguilar and Mason Amos.

Gilas left for Latvia with only 11-man roster, leaving without a point guard, But for Cone’s triangle offense, doesn’t really need a point guard. Like in the case of games Chicago Bulls under Phil Jackson and NBA’s GOAT, Michael Jordan.