Cone, Gilas bank on speed as all-PBA crew out to defend Asian Games title

NEW GUY. Adrian Nocum in practice for Gilas Pilipinas.

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'From what I've seen from that team, they’re a lot of fun to watch,' says Tim Cone, who envisions a fast-paced game as Gilas Pilipinas parades a rejigged roster for the Asian Games

AT A GLANCE

• Gilas Pilipinas aims to compensate for its lack of size in the Asian Games by focusing on a fast-paced game under head coach Tim Cone.
• The team features a revamped roster with only three players from the previous Asian Qualifiers, as key players like June Mar Fajardo will not participate.
• Preparations are underway with tuneup games in South Korea before heading to Japan, and there is hope for the return of naturalized player Justin Brownlee, who is recovering from injuries.

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MANILA, Philippines – What Gilas Pilipinas may lack in size in its Asian Games title defense, it hopes to make up for in speed.

Head coach Tim Cone envisions a fast-paced game as the national team parades a rejigged roster for the quadrennial showpiece, a stark contrast to the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers lineup anchored by twin towers Kai Sotto and AJ Edu.

Even June Mar Fajardo, a member of the 2023 championship squad, will not see action in the continental spectacle to be held in Nagoya, Japan, as he retired from national team duty. 

Only three players from the Asian Qualifiers team are part of the Asian Games crew, with RJ Abarrientos, Justine Baltazar, and Justin Arana joined by Robert Bolick, Sedrick Barefield, Adrian Nocum, Don Trollano, Zavier Lucero, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Brandon Bates, and Jerrick Ahanmisi in an all-PBA lineup.

“It’s a different system. They’re not playing my system. They’re playing a different system, more of an uptempo, push-the-ball [style], because they’re a little bit smaller. Obviously, they’re smaller because they don’t have Kai and AJ and June Mar playing,” said Cone. 

“They’re smaller, so they’re going to use their speed and quickness to get up and down the floor. It will be really interesting to watch.”

Cone and Gilas Pilipinas are ramping up their preparations as they flew to South Korea on Wednesday, September 2, to face its national team in a pair of tuneup games.

Then, from Korea, the Nationals will travel to Japan for the Asian Games, with the men’s basketball tournament running from September 10 to 20, ahead of the official event dates from September 19 to October 4.

Despite the short buildup, Cone likes what he has seen so far from the team, which will go up against China, Bahrain, and Kazakhstan in the group stage. 

“The idea of bringing fresher guys, motivated guys, guys who are motivated to come out and play for their country, I think it’s a good idea,” said Cone. 

“From what I’ve seen from that team, they’re a lot of fun to watch. I think the fans and the countrymen are going to have a lot of fun watching that team.”

Cone also has his fingers crossed that Justin Brownlee will be healthy enough to join the team, as the coaching staff reserved the 12th roster spot for the naturalized star. 

Brownlee, who starred in 2023 as Gilas Pilipinas won its first Asian Games gold medal since 1962, continues to recover from knee and leg injuries that kept him out of the last three games in the Asian Qualifiers. 

“We’ve opened up a spot for Justin. We’ll see if he ends up showing up,” said Cone. – Rappler.com