Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. Photo from FIBA Basketball
MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone said the squad is taking the lessons they learned from the FIBA Asia Cup to the upcoming window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Cone told ABS-CBN News on Wednesday they are not taking anything for granted, as they prepare to face World No. 81 Guam.
"Well, if we can't take care of our games against Guam, then basically our dreams of making the Olympics and the World Cup are going to be shattered. So there's nothing more important right now for us than playing Guam," he said.
"Literally, we're not looking beyond it. It's the one that's right in front of us. It's the ones we really got to focus on. And we just can't take anything for granted. You know, we've done that in the past," Cone added.
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The Gilas coach referred to the FIBA Asia Cup last August, when they were dealt an opening loss against Chinese Taipei, 95-87.
"We felt we took Chinese Taipei for granted in the past. And that's why you stay together and continue to play together is because you learn. And, you know, we expect that we have learned from that Chinese Taipei experience that we can't take anything for granted, especially without Kai in the lineup," he explained.
The Nationals will still be missing the services of big man Kai Sotto, who continues to recover from his ACL injury.
"We're just not as strong as team without Kai. So every opponent we have is an uphill climb for us. So we want to make sure that we are totally preparing for Guam and Guam alone," he said.
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Cone underscored the importance of Sotto still being present in practice, as well as during the qualifiers matches.
"Kai won't be able to play, but just having his presence here is big for us. He's near, he's near playing, but he's not ready by this time. I think he's only maybe in his eighth month since his ACL injury. Usually that's a nine to 11 month, 12 month injury, sometimes longer. So, but I think he expects in about a month or so he can be back to playing in Japan," he said.
PLAYING AT HOME
Cone said the Gilas squad is looking forward to playing a qualifiers game here at home next month.
After competing in Guam, the Nationals will face their opponents at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City on December 1.
The Gilas coach highlighted the importance of home games not just for the team, but for the Filipino fans.
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"Well, it's always really important to be able to play at home. There's a comfort level you have playing at home. But it's more than just a gym. It's actually being at home, being with your families, having your routines. Those are the things that make home special," he said.
"And obviously we really need to win on the road first. That's the most important game. But we always want to reward our fans here at home. And whether it be against Guam, Australia, New Zealand, Middle Eastern teams, it doesn't matter. We obviously want to play really, really well in front of our home court fans," Cone added.