Tim Cone praises coach Pat Aquino, Gilas Women culture

Gilas Pilipinas coaches Tim Cone and Pat Aquino. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—From one Gilas Pilipinas coach to another, Tim Cone lauded Pat Aquino for his handling of the Philippine women’s basketball team.

Both the men’s and women’s teams of the Philippines held an open practice at Philsports Arena on Thursday led by men’s interim coach Cone and women’s coach Aquino.

Cone, who is handling the Gilas men’s team for the Asian Games, had some positive words for Aquino and his wards.

“I’m a big fan of Pat Aquino. As a coach, I had the honor to watch him in Cambodia and watch the way they play. I just love the way he gets his girls to play hard. They’re in every possession and they’re super together,” said Cone.

During the last Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cone was also part of Gilas men’s coaching staff which snagged gold.

The women’s side, however, only got silver in the biennial event. But that did not dampen Cone’s respect for Aquino at all.

“They have a great culture that they developed so I’m a big fan of theirs and I think we need to recognize that more as a nation and understand that these girls are doing what we’re doing as well every day.”

The same “culture” that Cone spoke of bore fruits for Gilas women as they recently rose in the Fiba world rankings to No.37.

Their accolades and performances should garner more attention from the Filipino fans, according to the Barangay Ginebra coach.

“I know we’re all locked in on the men’s program but I think we should be really proud of the women’s program as well.”

Both Gilas squads will fly to Hangzhou, China, later this month for the 2022 Asian Games.