Gilas Pilipinas Interim Head Coach, Tim Cone, is confident that the five new players integrated into the national team pool for the upcoming Asian Games will be able to catch up despite the short notice and limited time before their first game. Cone, a multi-titled mentor, is already familiar with the playing style of the new players as he has previously coached against them in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Some of the players have already played under Cone in the past, which he sees as an advantage for the team. Cone is relying on their familiarity with his coaching style as Gilas Pilipinas works hard in the final stretch of preparations for the tournament. The inclusion of Jason Perkins, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, and Mo Tautuaa in the team is still uncertain.
“We took Ross and Lassiter because they had a bit of a feel for us in the SEA Games. 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,” Cone explained. Both Ross and Lassiter were part of the 2019 SEA Games team coached by Cone.
Cone was also part of the coaching staff of former Gilas coach Chot Reyes in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, where Lassiter and Ross were also on the team. Cone was also involved in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where CJ Perez was one of the players in the lineup.
Among the new players, Arvin Tolentino is the most familiar with Cone’s system, having spent his early years in the PBA playing for Ginebra. “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,” Cone said of Tolentino, with whom he won two PBA titles before Tolentino was traded to NorthPort.
The only player without any experience playing under Cone is Kevin Alas, but the coach is not concerned as Alas, the son of former PBA coach Louie Alas, has a strong basketball background. “It might be a bit more challenging for Kevin, but the thing about Kevin Alas is that he’s a coach’s son. A coach’s son sees the game really well, picks up things quickly, so I’m not concerned about Kevin,” Cone stated.
This is a positive development for Gilas Pilipinas as they prepare for the Asian Games, with Cone expressing confidence in the ability of the new players to adapt and contribute to the team’s success.
