Gilas tour not ‘a simple yes or no’ for Tim Cone

Gilas Pilipinas players carry their head coach Tim Cone following their win over Jordan in the men’s basketball gold medal match at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

The Philippines’ calendar for international tournaments officially starts in February, when Fiba takes the lid off the first qualification window geared toward the next Basketball World Cup to be held in Qatar.

On paper, Tim Cone remains the coach of Gilas Pilipinas. But the decorated mentor, who helped deliver the country’s first Asian Games (Asiad) gold medal in over half a century, revealed that nothing has been set in stone.

“That’s still open to discussion,” Cone told the Inquirer. “I know that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is being exhaustive in their search. And although I am in consideration, I am not the only candidate.”

Cone was thrust into the forefront of the national team’s coaching saddle after the sudden exit of Chot Reyes right after the squad won the last match of its World Cup homestand.

The American, who has made the Philippines his home for over three decades while coaching in the local pro league, was appointed by the national federation as a stopgap measure. But the Asiad bid in Hangzhou, China, yielded one of the finest moments in the country’s checkered basketball history resulting in fans clamoring for Cone’s continued service.

Initial talks

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone during the team’s opening training with the Gilas Women’s team on Thursday at Philsports Arena. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Cone has since sat down with the SBP back in November and shared his insights on the program moving forward, but no deal was struck about his stint. He notably said in an event organized by journalists covering the PBA that the question of him calling the shots on a long-term basis “does not deserve a simple yes or no.”

The SBP will have at least this month to identify a head coach and resolve the current assemblage of moving parts relating to the national team’s composition. And the earlier that those are decided would mean a better preparation time for the squad.

The earliest international meet, the World Cup Asian Qualifiers, unfurls on Feb. 19 in yet-to-be-finalized locations. A chance to make the Paris Summer Olympic Games also remains open through the Olympic Qualifying Tournament that will be held in July.

Cone assured that the SBP is hard at work in putting together a solid scheme—one that is rich with foresight.

“Even more importantly, they are putting a plan and a vision together that would sustain the program through the next four years into [the] 2027 World Cup in Qatar,” he said.