Tim Cone doesn’t see any problem integrating the replacements into the 19th Asian Games-bound Gilas team, which has been hounded by manpower woes.
The veteran mentor is confident that Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Arvin Tolentino, Kevin Alas, and CJ Perez shouldn’t have any issues adjusting to this batch’s scheme of things, even if they’re joining the squad on very short notice.
This confidence stems from their familiarity with it, especially the quartet of Ross, Lassiter, Tolentino, and Perez. They were part of the Philippine team that reclaimed the Southeast Asian Games men’s cage gold medal last May in Cambodia.
Cone was part of the coaching staff then, led by Chot Reyes, and eventually brought home another SEAG championship after steering the Nationals to the top of the 2019 edition in Manila – a team that also included Ross and Lassiter.
“We took Ross and Lassiter because they had a bit of a feel for us in the SEA Games,” Cone said shortly after the PBA Board’s presser regarding the Asiad, held Tuesday at the league’s office in Libis, Quezon City.
“We didn’t use the Triangle system as much back in the SEA Games, but we’re incorporating it more now, so that’s new to them. However, the defensive philosophy, system, and techniques are very familiar to them.”
While the San Miguel Beer trio may need some adjustment to the vaunted Triangle, Tolentino should no longer encounter many concerns.
For starters, he spent his rookie year with Ginebra under Cone and played a total of four conferences with the Kings before being traded to NorthPort.
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“Arvin has experience with the Triangle; he knows it. It’s just more of a refresher for him, so he should be able to fit in seamlessly,” said the PBA’s winningest mentor, who won two titles with the former FEU Tamaraw.
Alas is the one coming in as somewhat of a newcomer, but Cone has no worries because he believes that the NLEX main man could pick things up “very quickly.”
“It might be a bit more challenging for Kevin, but the thing about Kevin Alas is that he’s a coach’s son,” he said of Coach Louie Alas’ son. “A coach’s son sees the game really well, picks up things quickly, so I’m not concerned about Kevin.
“His dad has taught him how to be a basketball player, and that’s what you need to be in the Triangle. You have to be a basketball player,” added Cone.
