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| Tim Cone |
Even if the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team missed out on winning the 2011 Jones Cup in Taipei after it lost to Iran Saturday night, former national coach Tim Cone thinks that the Philippine squad has a fighting chance to make it to the Olympics.
“The SMART-Gilas program is already proven and it works,” he said despite the semifinal loss. “This will be the best team we have ever sent.”
Cone’s words carry much weight, as he was the last person to coach the Philippine team to a Jones Cup title in 1998.
That same year, he led the Philippine Centennial Team, bannered by Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, Vergel Meneses, Jojo Lastimosa and Johnny Abarrientos among others, to a bronze medal finish in the Bangkok Asian Games. It was the last medal ever won by the Philippines in a high-level Asian men’s basketball competition.
Cone, who led Alaska to the PBA’s last Grand Slam in 1996, pointed to the development of countries from the Middle East as the biggest reason why the Philippines has been shut out of the podium in basketball.
“No doubt, the competition today is better, especially with the Middle Eastern teams,” he said. “We always hammered Iran and Jordan back then, but they have made great strides with better coaching.”
Moments after the final buzzer sounded, Cone posted encouraging words for the SMART-Gilas squad on his Twitter account.
“Despite tonight’s loss, Gilas proved with its opening day win over Iran it can put a good game together and it can handle Iran,” wrote Cone, referring to the Filipinos’ 73-59 upset victory over the two-time reigning FIBA-Asia champions in their opening game.
“That confidence is going to be crucial when Gilas gets to FIBA-Asia. They have set themselves up well.”
But he warned that the road to an Olympic slot is still going to be tough.
“We haven’t seen China,” he said. “They are still the team to beat, even before Iran, Jordan and Korea. With only one berth available, it is going to be tough.”
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