Tim Cone wasn’t in the mood to discuss anything related to Gilas Pilipinas amidst reports of his appointment as the men’s national team’s head coach.
It was totally understandable, since the PBA’s winningest mentor saw the end of Barangay Ginebra’s Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup campaign after losing to San Miguel via sweep in the best-of-five semifinals, Sunday night.
“I think that’s for another setting than this one,” he told reporters moments after their 94-91 Game 3 loss at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“Kinda down at the moment, kinda upset, so I don’t want to talk about something that’s outside at this point,” Cone furthered.
The man responsible for steering the Philippines to its first Asian Games men’s cage title in over 60 years is reportedly set to be named as the new Gilas mentor by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) this week.
Such reports came out less than a month before the home-and-away FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, where the Filipino dribblers are pooled in Group B together with world no. 21 New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong.
Cone has been linked to the gig since that historic run in China late last year, and calls among fans and pundits became louder especially now that the federation is pulling off major changes to its national team programs.
The PBA’s only 25-time champion bench tactician disclosed previously that he had sat down with the SBP and discussed the coaching job.
But even up to now, he said, the Samahan has yet to give him a ring, another reason why he declined to comment any further regarding the matter.
“They haven’t told me anything so it’s hard for me to comment,” said Cone, who’s coached national teams in the past. “But literally I did not get a call.”
Should he really be selected, though, the 66-year-old is more than willing to accept the role previously held by his long-time pal Chot Reyes.
“But if they did choose me, I’m looking forward to doing it.”
View this post on Instagram
