Cone: No official call yet from SBP
BARANGAY Ginebra coach Tim Cone admitted that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has yet to officially inform him that he’ll be handling Gilas Pilipinas, which will start competing in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers this February.
“Did it come out today? They (SBP officials) haven’t told me anything so it’s hard for me to comment,” Cone said on Sunday night, moments after Barangay Ginebra got swept 3-0 by San Miguel Beer in their PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The American mentor admitted there has been a discussion regarding the Gilas coaching, but he has yet to get a confirmation since.
“Literally, I did not get a call. I know that we have talked about it,” he added.
Nonetheless, the PBA’s all-time winning coach shared he’s not ready to talk about Gilas considering that Ginebra just failed to defend its Commissioner’s Cup crown this season.
“I think that’s just for another setting. This one, I’m not ready to talk on that. Kinda down at the moment and upset. I don’t want to talk about something that is outside at this moment,” said Cone.
“If they did choose me, I’m looking forward to do it.”
Cone though is the frontrunner to get the Gilas head coaching job given his legendary basketball coaching resume, especially since the American led Gilas to the Asian Games men’s basketball gold medal in last year’s edition in Hangzhou, China.
The gold medal feat ended the country’s 61-year Asian Games title drought.
Cone was also part of Chot Reyes’ coaching staff when Gilas successfully regained the Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball crown in May 2023 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
SBP is expected to come out with an official announcement anytime this week since Gilas is already scheduled for two upcoming games as part of the FIBA Asia CUP 2025 qualifiers.
The national team faces Hong Kong on February 22, followed by Chinese Taipei on February 25.