Maintaining the existing Gilas roster preferred, yet ready for potential adjustments
Lightening Up Gilas' Game Plan: Coach Cone Shuffles His 15-Man Lineup
Philippines' head coach Tim Cone is tweaking Gilas Pilipinas' roster, but he's all about keeping it tight, man! After an impressive undefeated run in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, Cone aims to build on his core team while making strategic adjustments.
With a 4-0 record, the Philippines has already earned a spot in the Asia Cup. Thanks to victories over New Zealand and Hong Kong, Gilas' core is performing at its peak. But Cone ain't one to rest on his laurels. He's got his eyes on the Asia Cup, and he's not afraid to shake things up.
"I'm less likely to want to increase the pool," Cone declared. Instead, he wants to keep the team tight, focusing on a core group that'll get even sharper with more practice. "If you can keep a core going all the time and really focus on that core, keep it a tight group, then that core is gonna get better."
But that ain't to say Cone ain't open to changes if they benefit the team. "We could very easily make a tweak here and there, anything that could make us better moving forward."
One tweak he's already made is bringing in naturalized big man Ange Kouame as a backup for Justin Brownlee. Cone believes Kouame's addition can help Gilas maintain its winning streak.
Cone's also got a couple of young guns, Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao, stepping up to the plate. With Kai Sotto recovering from an injury, these two are taking on bigger roles for Gilas. The mentor believes their growth and maturity, cultivated since they first joined the team, will help them carry the team forward.
Despite his absence, Sotto's still a part of the team. He's traveling with Gilas to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the Asia Cup. Cone's not about to risk Sotto's long-term health, though. They're keeping Sotto off the court for now, focusing on his recovery, and his camaraderie with the team is just as important.
Cone's strategy is all about balancing short-term needs with long-term goals. He's keeping his core tight and focusing on player development, all while keeping the team competitive. Gilas might be missing a player or two, but Cone's confident that his adjustments will lead them to victory.
Stay tuned as Gilas takes on New Zealand and Chinese Taipei on the road. The Asia Cup is within their grasp, and Cone's got just the plan to bring it home!
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The coach, Tim Cone, is considering strategic adjustments in the NBA-style basketball game plan of Gilas Pilipinas, focusing on a tight-knit core group for the upcoming Asia Cup. In preparation for the competition, he might make slight changes to the roster, such as the addition of Ange Kouame as a backup for Justin Brownlee.
