Tim Cone, who calls the shots for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA, has been appointed as national team head coach for the Southeast Asian Games. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Tim Cone, the most decorated tactician in the PBA, has accepted the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ offer to be the head coach of the Philippine team in the Southeast Asian Games later this year, the federation announced on Monday.
“I spoke to Tim Cone last Saturday and he expressed interested but wanted to finish his game last night and talk to his family first,” SBP president Al Panlilio said in a statement.
“Now I’m very happy to announce that coach Tim has officially accepted the role as head coach for Gilas Pilipinas Men in the upcoming SEA Games.”
Cone is set to reprise his role as shot-caller for the national team. His last stint was in the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, where he steered the Filipinos to a third-place finish.
Holder of the most victories in the PBA, Cone on Sunday, through a separate statement, said he is “incredibly honored.”
“Even though my appointment is just a stopgap measure and a short term commitment, I am proud to be selected to coach in the SEA Games,” Cone said.
“I will sit down with the SBP over the next couple of days and come up with a plan of attack,” he added. “We are hoping by the end of the week that we’ll have a pool of players working together at full force.”
Panlilio said the move should signify the SBP’s earnest intent move forward.
“The resolution of our head coach situation should signify the start of our SEA Games preparations because the other countries like Indonesia are already putting in the work,” Panlilio added.
Panlilio also said it is taking its preparations a step at a time and is solely focusing on the regional meet slated here from November 30 through December 11.
“We’re still putting together a plan on how to move forward with our preparations for 2023 and beyond.”
“I’m extremely excited to get going,” said Cone.