Gilas Pilipinas to SEA Games.. Cone ditches friendlies vs Japan, Korea

IT seems Gilas-Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone learned his lesson as he turn down an invitation that would pit them in a series of friendlies series against former Asian rivals Japan and South Korea to avoid possibility of being scouted.

Cone forgone the idea. For him, it might not be beneficial for his wards, the Japanese and the Koreans will gain from it instead, pointing out the last friendlies, wherein Gilas played against Middle Eastern powerhouse Qatar, Lebanon and Egypt. And the result?. was disaster.

The Nationals bowed to a well trained and cohesive Lebanon side, 80-75. and African toughed contender, the Egyptians, 75-60. Gilas got a consolation of a lone victory over host Qatar, 78-73.

Gilas’ woes continued, just fews days after, as they flew to Taipei, for the fourth and final qualifying window, wherein they met a different Chinese-Taipei squad bowing, 65-84. Then a couple of days later. They flew again to Auckland to meet the Kiwis and loss again, 70-87.

The pair of defeats, though Gilas had already secured itself a spot in the August FIBA Asia Cup, left a bad impression to fans and fanatics, sought to add some new players or change half of the team line up. Cone likewise wasn’t spare either

Forgoing the friendlies with Japan and Korea, Cone sees it and opportunity, to hold a much longer time to build and improve the team chemistry and have more time in practice running the system with clock-work precision.

And as part of the Cone’s “four-year” program in preparing the nationals in other international engagement, that would culminate the Philippines gaining slot back in Olympics in 2028.

One of those international engagement Cone is eying is this year’s 2025 Southeast Asian Games slated in December in Thailand. As the American mentor is planing to send half of the Gilas playing roster and to be beefed by some veterans led by RR Pogoy, Stanly Pringles, Cris Ross and Mickey Williams. In case Kai Sotto wouldn’t be available, Cone is tapping the 6-11 Ange Koume.

Cone picked from the current Gilas line up to complete the SEA Games cast are C.J Perez, Jamie Malonzo, Junmar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Cris Newsome, Japeth Aguilar and naturalized Justine Brownlee.

According to PBA’s winningest coach, these line up is very competitive and it can even compete in the other non-FIBA sanction league like the SEA Games.. And since its’ not sanction by FIBA Passport and citizenship and naturalization are not going to be an issue.

Rationalizing Cone’s plan, his aware that we’re no-longer have an advantage in the region, as our Southeast Asian neighbors have level the “playing field” by learning from our way, they have likewise acquired topnotch players from US NCAA Euro-League and among other leagues.

Offering those players monetary consideration, aside granting citizenship, integration in their respective society to play for them,

It will be remembered during 2022 SEAG, Indonesia, with three American players in their line up playing all at the same time, snapped Gilas’ 31-year Gold medal run. Thailand, which is also availing less passport and naturalisation restriction, gave Gilas a hard time in the semi-final battle.

Because of these, Cone is fully aware, we can no longer underestimate those oppositions with skills that can give us some tough times. The American, with a Filipino heart, knew these situation will really happen.

Cone was the head coach of the Philippine Team that captured the country’s 30th Gold medal wiping all oppositions via wide margin during the 2019 SEA Games held in Manila.