Gilas Pilipinas is ramping up its preparations to establish on-court chemistry as key international fixtures approach, though head coach Tim Cone remains composed despite the limited timeframe.
The Philippine national basketball team has been training since last week, utilizing a series of closed-door tune-up games to build momentum for upcoming contests against Jordan on Friday, August 28, and Iran on Sunday, August 30.
With naturalized forward Justin Brownlee sidelined and center Kai Sotto returning to the lineup following a prolonged absence, Cone acknowledged that the roster is actively re-establishing its rhythm.
“We’re just trying to get as much experience and time together. Especially because Kai is new to the team. So, we’re just trying to get some experience,” Cone remarked.
During recent preparation games, the national squad secured an 81-76 victory against Korean Basketball League franchise Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus before dropping a scrimmage on Monday, August 24, to an Asian Games-bound roster led by Robert Bolick.
The primary Gilas pool responded by winning a follow-up scrimmage against the Asian Games group the following Tuesday.
“We’re not as good as we want to be at this point. We need to be better, we feel,” Cone stated regarding the team’s ongoing progress. “But we still got a few more days. And we’re still trying to lock in and get a feel for everybody.”
Addressing the challenge of playing without Brownlee, Cone highlighted that other core players must step forward, specifically pointing to expanded roles for young talents Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, and Dwight Ramos.
“We have to move on and figure it out. It’s gonna give more opportunity for guys like KQ and Karl to step up. And get major minutes. For Dwight to be more of a take charge guy,” Cone explained. “So, you lose someone, but that means other people get opportunities. And we’re gonna try to take advantage of those opportunities.”