GILAS Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone urged calm following the team’s two heavy defeats to South Korea, saying the losses should not be a cause for panic with the Asian Games fast approaching.
Cone acknowledged that South Korea was a difficult opponent, particularly because the Koreans had already played together through all four windows of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
“Korea was a tough team, the same team that has played the four FIBA windows. We obviously couldn’t approach their level of execution and knowledge of each other,” Cone said in a Viber message to Fastbreak.
South Korea swept the two-game exhibition series in Suwon, winning 81-55 in the first game before posting another convincing 69-42 victory in the rematch.
Rather than putting the blame on his players, Cone said the coaching staff must take responsibility for Gilas’ struggles as the team continues to build chemistry with a largely new group.
“These losses weren’t on the players, it was on us as a coaching staff. We haven’t figured out how to best use the skills of our guys… yet,” he said.
Cone added that the coaching staff would use the setbacks to improve the team’s preparation and maximize the abilities of the players before the Asian Games.
“But me and our staff will be better and we’ll be better in helping our players prepare for what’s ahead,” he said. “No need to panic.”
Gilas opens its Asian Games campaign against Bahrain on Sept. 11, followed by games against Kazakhstan on Sept. 12 and China on Sept. 14. (Adrian Co)
