Whereas a championship stays the last word purpose, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone insisted the trail to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup glory begins with full give attention to the primary sport.
The seasoned tactician emphasised the significance of passing an early take a look at in opposition to an ever-improving Chinese language Taipei on August 6—a matchup that would set the tone for the remainder of Gilas Pilipinas’ Asia Cup marketing campaign.
“I’ll say it once more, our purpose is to win the gold medal. That’s our purpose. We’re gonna go on the market and attempt to win the gold medal. Will we? I’m undecided,” Cone mentioned on the heels of Gilas’ 103-98 win over the Macau Black Bears in a pleasant sport final Monday.
“That is definitely our purpose, however that’s not what we’re centered on although. We’re centered on on a regular basis, on what we do on a regular basis.”
Gilas fell to Chinese Taipei the last time they faced each other throughout the third and ultimate window of the Asia Cup qualifiers final February, the place the Filipinos absorbed a 91-84 beating. That win served as Chinese language Taipei’s first over the Philippines since 2013.
Chinese language Taipei can also be being bolstered by American-Taiwanese brothers Adam and Robert Hinton, who each play within the US NCAA Division 1.Â
With this, head coach Tim Cone believes clearing this early hurdle can be a major assertion for Gilas, particularly with harder matchups in opposition to New Zealand and Iraq looming.
“Taiwan beat us the final time we performed them and so they have two younger Division 1 gamers within the Hinton brothers and people guys are making an influence on that staff,” Cone added.
“They undoubtedly have the personnel, it wasn’t a fluke that they beat us. So we’ve got to be ready for them.”
In terms of personnel, nonetheless, veteran Justin Brownlee is assured that Gilas has the instruments to dominate Asia—backed by a brand new era of expertise led by AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, and Dwight Ramos.
“Man, it’s an unimaginable problem you realize. You bought some actually good groups on the market,” the resident import mentioned.Â
“I feel that’s very attainable to do. It’s simply going to take us an excessive quantity of hardwork and dedication from everyone to purchase into that. With everyone doing that, I feel it’s a shiny future to be sincere for Gilas program.”
—JKC, GMA Built-in Information
