ANTIPOLO — Gilas Pilipinas’ manpower problems entering the 33rd Southeast Asian Games reminded Coach Tim Cone of the struggles that his own men’s team faced heading into the 19th Asian Games two years ago.
That’s why the veteran internationalist is optimistic about the squad’s chances of succeeding in the biennial meet the same way they did in the continent’s most prestigious multisport event, despite the obstacles that came their way.
“I think that just motivated us, and we felt we were underdogs, so we had that underdog mentality,” he said Wednesday night shortly after leading Ginebra past Blackwater in PBA Philippine Cup action at the Ynares Center here.
“And that took us all the way to the gold medal. And I think there’s a real good chance this could happen with Norman and his group.”
This iteration of Gilas under Coach Norman Black, which is headed for Thailand on Thursday, had to undergo major changes personnel-wise, no thanks to the THASOC’s back-and-forth on player eligibility in the men’s basketball event.
A number of players, headlined by Justin Brownlee, had to be taken off the roster as the hosts barred naturalized players from playing.
Eventually, they managed to complete the 12-man roster as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas called up PBA players Dalph Panopio, Justin Chua, and Abu Tratter, plus collegiate standouts Allen Liwag and Cedrick Manzano.
All that reminded Cone of their situation entering the Asiad back in 2023, when the players they wanted — most notably Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva — weren’t cleared as their names weren’t included in the roster submitted.
The program, at that time, was in the midst of a transition after Chot Reyes stepped aside from his post as head coach, with the PBA’s most successful mentor pinch-hitting for his close pal as a stopgap measure.
“It’s gonna be a tough road for them, just like us, in the Asian Games, you know. We couldn’t get the players that we wanted; it was really magulo all the way to the last two or three days before we left,” Cone recalled.
But then, they’d pull off a magical run in Hangzhou. The crew finished with a 2-1 record in Group B before taking down Asian powerhouses Iran and China in the quarterfinals and in the semis, respectively, to go all the way to the Final.
There, they would go on to take a vengeful 70-60 victory over Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jordan to give the country its first Asian Games men’s basketball gold medal in 61 years or since ruling in 1962 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Cone knows how challenging the upcoming SEAG basketball competitions could be, but he’s nonetheless excited for his fellow Grand Slam coach.
“I wish them well. I wish Norman well, and I hope that he does really well over there. I feel a little guilty that I’m not coaching it because I am the Gilas coach, but I’m also happy to hand it off to Norman given this opportunity,” he said.
He’s intrigued, too, to see how this Gilas team of Black would be able to perform together in the men’s tilt scheduled on December 13-19, where they are tasked to defend the throne their predecessors regained in Cambodia in 2023.
“I think the only thing they’re gonna lack, really, is size. So, it will be really interesting to see how Norman plays with this group,” said Cone, who steered the Philippines to gold in the 30th edition of the regional meet.
“I think it’s gonna be fun and exciting, it’s gonna be a spread-out; they’re gonna get up and down the floor. It’s gonna be very interesting to watch the Southeast Asian Games with this group.”
#WATCH: WE’RE STILL SEARCHING FOR OURSELVES
Tim Cone says Ginebra will treat their remaining games like a playoff match 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/d3xw6pnQ5d
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