Gilas Pilipinas players carried their head coach, Tim Cone, following their impressive win over Jordan in the men’s basketball gold medal match at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on October 6, 2023. Cone expressed his belief that it was just a matter of time before the Philippines claimed the Asian Games gold, and he was fortunate to be leading the team when that moment finally arrived. “We’re too good of a basketball nation not to win this thing,” Cone confidently stated. He acknowledged that someone had to win it, and it was their turn on that fateful Friday night, defeating an unbeaten Jordan team, and ending a 61-year wait for the country to reclaim the Asian basketball throne.
Cone joined the team as a temporary solution while the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) reevaluated their national basketball program. He explained that his role was to provide the SBP with time to settle in and make long-term decisions. He reflected on his previous stint as interim coach in 2019, which allowed the SBP to determine their future direction. Now that he has successfully completed his job by delivering the gold medal, Cone is eager to see where the SBP will go from here.
The expectation is that Cone will be offered the opportunity to rebuild the national program. However, he remains focused on the present and is primarily concerned with returning to his current coaching role with Ginebra, as he strives to honor the legacy of Sonny Jaworski. The last time the Philippines won an Asian Games gold medal was in 1962, and Cone believes that this victory could be the start of another successful streak for Philippine basketball.
While celebrating the win, Cone encountered some minor problems, such as not being allowed to go to the podium for a picture. Nevertheless, he was content with taking photos on the sidelines with his team. Cone also highlighted that gold medals are not awarded to coaches, so his players, like Chris Newsome, showed their appreciation by placing their gold medals around his neck and the neck of team manager Alfrancis Chua, emphasizing that it was a team effort.
The road to the Asian Games gold was not easy. The team faced significant challenges before the tournament, with key players leaving to fulfill their professional commitments overseas. Cone and the national team brain trust had to rebuild the roster and build chemistry around the remaining World Cup holdovers and new additions. Despite the less-than-ideal preparations, Cone set his sights on the Asian Games gold and rallied his team to achieve their goal.
Cone’s journey to becoming an Asian Games champion was not without previous disappointments. He reflected on his devastating experience in 1998 when he fell short of winning the gold. This victory holds special significance for Cone, as he believes that the Philippines deserves this success, considering it his own nation, despite being an American. He expressed his willingness to continue supporting the national team in any way he can and hopes to remain involved in the future.
In conclusion, Tim Cone’s leadership and the team’s unwavering determination led to the Philippines’ long-awaited Asian Games gold. With this victory, the country has reestablished its standing in Asian basketball and opened the door for future success.
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