Tim Cone ‘perfect coach’ for Gilas, says Australian mentor Goorjian

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone. –FIBA PHOTO

LAPU-LAPU CITY—Brian Goorjian believes the selection of coach Tim Cone is a step in the right direction for Gilas Pilipinas.

“I think Tim Cone is the perfect coach for the future of Philippine basketball,” Goorjian said when asked of his former tactical foe in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals during a basketball clinic the East Asia Super League held Saturday at Hoops Dome here.

“He’s been there, he knows the system, he knows the players, he’s respected and he’s smart, knowledgeable,” added Goorjian, who also described Cone’s hiring as “really big for the Philippines.”

READ: Tim Cone’s role in Gilas’ Asian Games gold triumph more than just coincidence

Recent results have put the Gilas program under a positive outlook under Cone, who initially brought the country to its first Asian Games gold since 1962 with a Cinderella win in last year’s edition in Hangzhou, China.

Cone also guided Gilas to two victories over Hong Kong and Chinese-Taipei after the first window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers with the focus mainly on young players like Kai Sotto and Kevin Quiambao.

FILE– Australia head coach Brian Warwick Goorjian watches his players during their Basketball World Cup group E match against and Germany in Okinawa, southern Japan, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

“Tim Cone was somebody that I learned from and his success in the Asian [Games], and now what he’s done already in the window, I just think that the Philippines is gonna go on a surge,” said Goorjian.

READ: Tim Cone-coached Gilas lifts Philippines back to Asian Games glory

Goorjian continues to sing praises for Cone, whom he faced when the defunct Bay Area Dragons lost to Barangay Ginebra in the aforementioned Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Their teams ended up playing a deciding Game 7, with Ginebra emerging victorious before a record crowd of more than 54,000 at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“I only had one year, but there’s no one I have more respect for in the game of basketball in the Philippines than Tim Cone.” said Goorjian.