Despite the PBA going on break for the next couple of months, Tim Cone will have his hands full.
Cone will be wearing his Gilas Men hat as he prepares two separate national teams — one competing in Window 4 of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, where the Philippines will take on Jordan on August 28 and Iran on August 30 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, and another that will defend the Asian Games crown in Nagoya, Japan, from September 10 to 20.
“The plan is for me to handle the window until we get it done. And then to transfer to the Asian Games team,” said Cone as Gilas begin their practice on Monday.
“In the meantime, Richard (del Rosario), Josh (Reyes), and Jong (Uichico) will handle the Asian Games.”
However, Gilas Men will not have the likes of Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao, and Carl Tamayo available for the Asiad.
“None of the Japan or Korean players can play in the Asian Games,” shared Cone.
“So we just decided that we would pretty much bring an all-PBA contingent for the Asian Games along with Justin (Brownlee).”
As a result, there will be plenty of new faces on the Asian Games team, with Jerrick Ahanmisi, Justin Arana, Sedrick Barefield, Brandon Bates, Robert Bolick, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Jordan Heading, Zavier Lucero, Adrian Nocum, Jason Perkins, Caelan Tiongson, and Don Trollano all in the running for spots on the final 12.
“A lot of them will be new. Some of them have played in the past with Gilas, but they haven’t been a part of these windows that we’ve been involved in. We could still get maybe one or two or three from the window team to join,” said Cone.
“But the bulk of the team will be new for the Asian Games.”
Scottie Thompson has hinted that he will be one of the players that will cross over from the Window 4 team to the Asiad squad.
“Well, iniisip siyempre pero kailangan ko rin maging kondisyon and get in shape kasi preparation na rin sa practices ng Gilas,” said Thompson on Friday after Ginebra’s 97-88 loss to Meralco, which was his conference debut.
“Kung mapasama sa lineup. Of course, I’m willing to do anything para sa national team.”
As for Bennie Boatwright, Cone is keeping his fingers crossed that the forward’s naturalization papers will be completed in time for the continental meet.
“We were hoping that Bennie would be alright to play in the Asian Games. That looks very doubtful at this point, but we’re still holding on to hope,” expressed Cone.
“Aside from that, it’s going to be Justin and all-PBA players.”
Gilas Men are pooled in Group C alongside China, Bahrain, and Kazakhstan in the Asian Games.
