GILAS Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone remains uncertain whether Chinese center Yang Hansen will be available when the Philippines faces China in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Cone issued the reaction after a report by sports insider Homer Sayson indicated that the Portland Trail Blazers big man could be included in China’s lineup for the continental tournament.
“But we have heard recently that Hansen is not playing for China, but we don’t know that for sure,” Cone said in a Viber message to Fastbreak on Saturday.
China’s provisional roster announced earlier by the Chinese Basketball Association did not include the 7-foot-3 Yang.
The CBA said NBA and WNBA players were left out of its Asian Games rosters as part of its policy of allowing players competing overseas to continue their development.
The CBA said the decision was also part of China’s effort to balance its Asian Games campaign with its longer-term preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
For Cone and Gilas, Yang’s availability could be a significant factor in preparing for China, particularly because of the young center’s size and recent transition to the NBA.
For now, however, Cone said the Philippine side has yet to receive definitive confirmation on whether Yang will actually make the trip to the Asian Games. (Adrian Co)
