Tim Cone: Gilas’ Best Is Yet to Come

Photo source: FIBA

The Philippine national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, has been on an impressive run lately, with a 3-0 record in the FIBA Asia Qualifiers and a rejuvenated sense of pride among fans. Yet, for head coach Tim Cone, the team’s current success is only scratching the surface of their potential.

“We haven’t seen our best team yet,” Cone confidently declared after their latest victory over New Zealand, the 22nd-ranked team in the world. “And yet, we were able to beat the No. 6 (Latvia) and the No. 22 (New Zealand) teams. So, we’re still trying to see exactly where we can go, and how far we can go.”

Under Cone’s leadership, Gilas has displayed a renewed sense of cohesion and resilience. In their matchup against New Zealand, the team put an end to a frustrating eight-year losing streak, relying on a balanced attack led by Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto. Brownlee’s veteran poise and Sotto’s all-around presence have been critical, particularly in games against highly ranked opponents.

The win was sweet for Scottie Thompson, who silenced critics with his standout performance. After missing the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), Thompson’s return has injected versatility and grit into the lineup. Cone made it clear just how important Thompson, along with other key players, is to Gilas’ overall success.

“You can see how much effect Scottie has on the game,” Cone said, then later added: “And Jamie Malonzo as a stopper – you put Jamie, a 6’7” quick guy, on the court [against] Corey Webster. He’s going to [give] Webster all kinds of problems because of his speed, quickness, and length.”

Room for Growth

Despite the wins, Cone emphasized that Gilas still has untapped potential, pointing out how injuries and absences have limited the team’s ability to fully show what they can do. “We played Brazil, the No. 12 team in the world, without Kai, without Scottie, without AJ Edu.

Sotto, in particular, has earned praise for his commitment to the program. Cone shared how the 7’3” young star has been showing up early to practices and pushing through challenges, even returning to training after recovering from a concussion.

“These guys, I’m going to be honest, they’re not making big money doing this. Basically, it’s a small little portion of the salaries they make in their own teams, than what they make in here. They’re coming in here with their hearts more than their pockets,” Cone said, underscoring the sacrifices of his players.

The Bigger Picture

With their recent performances, Gilas has put themselves in a great position to secure a spot in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. More importantly, they’ve ignited hopes of making a deep run in the tournament, which could mark a new chapter in Philippine basketball.

Cone’s message is clear: this team has the talent and commitment to achieve greatness, but the journey is far from over.

“The players are giving it their all, going to two-a-day practices,” Cone said.

“So, my hat is really off to the players and all that they’re doing to get to this level, to get to this point. I think we all should be proud of them.”

If the team continues to grow and gel, Gilas Pilipinas could soon become not just a regional powerhouse, but a legitimate force on the global stage.