Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone had already said that Indonesia will be one of the contenders for the gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, especially with the arrival of Denzel Bowles.
The Indonesian national team picked the 29-year-old — whom Cone knows well after enjoying a PBA title together a few years back — to be its naturalized player.
However, it looks like the Philippine flag-bearers will not have to deal with that problem.
In a report by Liga Olahraga Thursday, Indonesia has dropped its plans with Bowles, as team manager Fareza Tamrella said that he “was not mentally and emotionally good.”
This isn’t the first time that Bowles has been hounded by issues. He was supposed to play for TNT in 2017, but was dropped a day before the Commissioner’s Cup as he was unable to meet expectations.
“Yes, we heard about it,” said Cone moments after Gilas’ practice Thursday, when asked about Bowles.
For Cone, though, the absence of Bowles is good news. “In some ways, we’re happy he’s not playing for Indonesia. He would have been a tough match-up for us. He’s really that good.
“One thing that would’ve been positive for us is that we know him. We know his skills, what his tendencies are. So for him to be on the Indonesian team would’ve made it easier in some ways, in terms of scouting and preparing,” he continued.
“But, we also know that he’s capable of being an absolute game-changer. So it will be scary to go up against him.”
Still, it’s not enough reason for Gilas to take on Indonesia lightly. For Cone, he believes that head coach Rajko Toroman will be able to find a replacement who will be better than Bowles.
“But Rajko is there, he’s gonna find the right guy, the right fit. And if it wasn’t Denzel, he’s gonna find somebody else who’s gonna be as good, or better.”
