Tim Cone in his Asian Games victory ride. —PDI FILES
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) expectedly made its announcement of appointing Tim Cone as the brand new man answerable for the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team program, a no brainer considering the success he got here up with when the Filipinos ended a 61-year wait to be kings of Asia again.
Cone, meanwhile, announced a 12-man pool that can make up his core, led by naturalized player Justin Brownlee, a handful of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stars and people playing overseas, including reigning UAAP Most Useful Player Kevin Quiambao of La Salle, who’s reportedly being wooed by the United Arab Emirates to be its naturalized player.
“I’m looking forward to taking up the role of national team head coach again,” said Cone, who previously couple of weeks, has already been rumored to be the chosen certainly one of SBP.
“I’ve all the time firmly believed from back in 1998 once I coached the Centennial Team that you just’ve got to exit and get the most effective players within the country to represent us. All of us have different opinions on who the most effective players are but we’re confident we picked the most effective players who will form the most effective team,” he said.
That list starts from his wards at Barangay Ginebra within the PBA like Scottie Thompson and Jaime Malonzo along with PBA stalwarts Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo.
Obvious selection
Dwight Ramos, easily certainly one of the best Asian imports within the Japanese B-League, can be on the list along with AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo and Kai Sotto, after which Quiambao, who made heads turn with Strong Group within the Dubai Invitational that the UAE has come knocking on his door for naturalization.
There’s also no doubting whom Cone has picked as a naturalized player, having coached Brownlee to several championships within the PBA with the Gin Kings. Brownlee was also the hero why the Filipinos made it to the title game against Jordan within the Asian Games (Asiad) in Hangzhou, China, last 12 months, after he connected on two incredible triples that shocked the host Chinese within the semifinals.
The one hindrance on Brownlee playing is the choice of the governing Fiba regarding the length of his suspension that began when he tested positive for a banned substance after the Asiad.
Joining Cone might be Richard Del Rosario as Gilas Pilipinas Men team manager.
“Coach Tim completed what has not been done in a long time with only just a few weeks to organize and multiple challenges when it comes to 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.” said SBP president Al Panlilio in an announcement.
Cone and his crew will buckle right down to work as the primary window of the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers is slated next month. Gilas will battle Hong Kong on Feb. 22 at Tsuen Wan Stadium and Chinese Taipei on Feb. 25 at PhilSports Arena. INQ
