December 08, 2024

Tim Cone says Gilas has shot to score first win vs New Zealand

Tim Cone says Gilas has shot to score first win vs New Zealand
Gilas coach Tim Cone faces the members of the press ahead of the national team's training camp at Inspire on Nov. 15. Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

After a magical campaign in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament early this year, Gilas looked like it can conquer any team in Asia.

That includes New Zealand.

[RELATED STORY: Fifth times the charm? Revisiting the encounters of Gilas Pilipinas and New Zealand in FIBA]

With the way the team has been playing since the OQT where they stunned world no. 9 Latvia and made life miserable for Georgia and Brazil, Gilas head coach Tim Cone also has reasons to believe the team has a legitimate shot at the Tall Blacks.

The two teams face each other for the fifth time in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers this month.

“I just really feel like New Zealand has handled us over the last few years and they have beaten us pretty badly when we played them,” Cone said.

“But I really, really feel there’s a sense we can beat them this time around.”

[ALSO READ: FIBA ranks the top five Philippines men's national basketball teams of all time]

However, New Zealand has the Philippines’ numbers.

Since dropping an 89-80 decision in the OQT in 2016, Gilas has lost the next three encounters including a 106-60 drubbing in the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers two years ago.

It’s about time the Filipinos change the narrative.

“I think there’s a certain confidence on the players that they have. And it’s deserving,” said the winningest coach in the PBA.

“For the Gilas players, just believe. I think if we come in with the idea that just believe that we can do it, I think we will do it. That’ll be on all of us.”

[ALSO READ: Tim Cone admits to feeling upset as AJ Edu suffers knee injury ahead of FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers]

Gilas will know whether or not that belief will work wonders after their match on Nov. 21 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

(With reports from Gillian Trinidad, One Sports Digital)

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