Gilas Pilipinas now has a head coach after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) appointed Barangay Ginebra’s Tim Cone as the program’s next mentor.
Following the departure of Chot Reyes following Gilas’ exit at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the Federation has deemed the 25-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) champion worthy of leading the charge come the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Instagram: @samahangbasketbolngpilipinas
“Success” is an understatement when skimming through Cone’s overwhelming resume. Comprised in his 40-year Philippine Basketball tenure comes two PBA Grand-Slam titles (1996, 2014), four PBA Coach of the Year honors (1994, 1996, 2014, 2020), and nine-time All-Star Head Coach (1992, 1994, 1999, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2017, 2023). Slating his influence across three franchises, the call-up to the national program seemed inevitable—leaving a narrative of excellence.
The Oregon-born turned Filipino native last assumed the reigns as Gilas Pilipinas’ Head Coach during their successful 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games campaign, where the team won gold. Although the program’s 2023 Asian Games lineup is still undecided, chemistry seeps into their structure, given Cone’s previous post as Gilas’ Assistant Coach during the recent FIBA World Cup and his exposure to the local leagues
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Appearing before the media, Cone reassured the Federation of his loyalty to the program and the approval from Reyes before assuming the role.
“I talked to Chot he gave me his blessing, he told me he felt I was the best guy for the job. If everybody has my back I feel like we can succeed,” Cone mentioned.
