Gilas Pilipinas program director Chot Reyes is not yet over in adding to Gilas Pilipinas’ coaching staff.
And he got a big one.
Twenty-four-time PBA champion coach Tim Cone is set to join Gilas Men’s staff.
Reyes made the announcement during the 2022 PBA Press Corps Awards Night held at Novotel Hotel Araneta City on Tuesday.
The six-time PBA Coach of the Year bared that it was Cone who wanted to be part of the staff heading into the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
“He wants to help. He just wants to help. I think he will also bring great value to the coaching staff as well,” said Reyes.
This would be a reunion for Reyes and Cone as the two were together in Alaska and the 1998 Centennial Team.
For Reyes, having the best team does not only mean having the best player but also the best coaches.
Currently in the Gilas staff are Nenad Vucinic, Goldwin Monteverde, Jong Uichico, Josh Reyes, and, now, Cone.
“Well, like I said, I’m here to form the best team possible. Not just the teams but also the coaches.
“Before we got Nacho Lezcano, Norman Black, and Tab Baldwin and that is one of our secrets during the World Cup. Now we have Tim Cone, Goldwin, Jong Uichico, and Nenad Vucinic,” he continued.
The last time Cone handled the national team was back in 2019 during the 30th Southeast Asian Games.