Tim Cone permanenting head coach ng Gilas Pilipinas Men

MATAPOS ang matagumpay na kampanya sa Hangzhou Asian Games,kung saan tinuldukan ng Pilipinas ang 61-year old gold medal drought sa men’s basketball, Tim Cone ay bibigyan ng kapangyarihan na head coach.

“Coach Tim accomplished what has not been done in decades with only a few weeks to prepare and multiple challenges in terms of personnel so we’re excited to see what he can accomplish with a long-term program in place especially if such program is supported by all basketball stakeholders.” Wika ni Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Al Panlilio Lunes.

Unang hakbang na gagawin ni Cone ay ihahanda ang team na sasabak sa first window ng Asia Cup Qualifiers sa susunod na buwan.

Makakalaban ng Gilas ang HongKong sa Pebrero 22 sa Tsuen Wan Stadium at Chinese Taipei sa Pebrero 25 sa PhilSports Arena.

Ang Pilipinas ay sasabak sa Olympic Qualifying Tournament mula Hulyo 2 hanggang 7 sa Latvia.

“Earlier this month, coach Tim presented his plans to local leagues from which players will likely be selected from. This program will be put to test this year and adjustments will be made as necessary,” Dagdag ni SBP Executive Director Erika Dy.

Si Cone ang tinuturing na winningest coach sa PBA history na may 25 championship. Siya ang nag-iisang two-time PBA Grand Slam winner sa 48 kasaysayan ng liga.

Ito ang ika-apat na stint ni Cone na head coach ng national team.Siya rin ang timon ng Centennial Team na nagwagi ng bronze medal sa 1998 Bangkok Asian Games. Pinamunuan rin nya ang Gilas squad na nagbulsa ng gold medal sa 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

“I’m looking forward to taking on the role of national team head coach again,” Sambit ni Cone. “I’ve always firmly believed from back in 1998 when I coached the Centennial Team that you’ve got to go out and get the best players in the country to represent us. We all have different opinions on who the best players are but we’re confident we picked the best players who will form the best team.”

Inanunsyo ng SBP na ang 12 players na ang tinawag sa Gilas pool para sa FIBA ACQ February window.

Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson, Justin Brownlee, at Jamie Malonzo, San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo at CJ Perez, Meralco’s Chris Newsome, at TNT’s Calvin Oftana ang napili sa Gilas pool sa mga Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players.

Tutulong sa kanila sina Japan B League Asian imports Dwight Ramos of Hokkaido, AJ Edu of Toyama, Kai Sotto ng Yokohama, at free agent Carl Tamayo.

Reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player at Dubai International Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team member Kevin Quiambao ang komumpleto sa 12.

Makakaharap ng Gilas ang Hong Kong on the road sa Pebrero 22 bago ang Chinese Taipei sa Pebrero 25 sa PhilSports Arena sa Pasig City.