Tim Cone names intrepid 12 to make up long-term Gilas Pilipinas program

Tim Cone in his Asian Games victory ride. —PDI FILES

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) expectedly made its announcement of appointing Tim Cone as the new man in charge of the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team program, a no-brainer considering the success he came up with when the Filipinos ended a 61-year wait to be kings of Asia again.

Cone, meanwhile, announced a 12-man pool that will make up his core, led by naturalized player Justin Brownlee, a handful of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stars and those playing overseas, including reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao of La Salle, who is reportedly being wooed by the United Arab Emirates to be its naturalized player.

Tim Cone, who was officially appointed as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas, unveiled his 12-man pool.

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READ: New Gilas coach could face same old problems

“I’m looking forward to taking on the role of national team head coach again,” said Cone, who in the past couple of weeks, has already been rumored to be the chosen one of SBP.

“I’ve always firmly believed from back in 1998 when I coached the Centennial Team that you’ve got to go out and get the best players in the country to represent us. We all have different opinions on who the best players are but we’re confident we picked the best players who will form the best team,” he said.

That list starts from his wards at Barangay Ginebra in the PBA like Scottie Thompson and Jaime Malonzo together with PBA stalwarts Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo.

Obvious choice

Dwight Ramos, easily one of the finest Asian imports in the Japanese B-League, is also on the list together with AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo and Kai Sotto, and then Quiambao, who made heads turn with Strong Group in the Dubai Invitational that the UAE has come knocking on his door for naturalization.

There’s also no doubting whom Cone has picked as a naturalized player, having coached Brownlee to several championships in the PBA with the Gin Kings. Brownlee was also the hero why the Filipinos made it to the title game against Jordan in the Asian Games (Asiad) in Hangzhou, China, last year, after he connected on two incredible triples that shocked the host Chinese in the semifinals.

READ: Time for step two for Gilas Pilipinas 

The only hindrance on Brownlee playing is the decision of the governing Fiba regarding the length of his suspension that started when he tested positive for a banned substance after the Asiad.

Joining Cone will be Richard Del Rosario as Gilas Pilipinas Men team manager.

“Coach Tim accomplished what has not been done in decades with only a few weeks to prepare and multiple challenges in terms of personnel, so we’re excited to see what he can accomplish with a long-term program in place especially if such program is supported by all basketball stakeholders.” said SBP president Al Panlilio in a statement.

Cone and his crew will buckle down to work as the first window of the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers is slated next month. Gilas will battle Hong Kong on Feb. 22 at Tsuen Wan Stadium and Chinese Taipei on Feb. 25 at PhilSports Arena.