What’s done is done in the game vs Chinese Taipei in the FIBA Asia Cup, and Gilas Men head coach Tim Cone and his wards have no choice but to bounce back — and do it fast against a familiar foe New Zealand.
“I’m very confident that we're gonna play better.”
This was the assurance given by head coach Tim Cone ahead of Gilas Pilipinas’ upcoming clash against New Zealand in their FIBA Asia Cup 2025 campaign this Thursday.
Gilas Men aim to bounce back and barge into the win column of Group D as they take on the Tall Blacks at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at 11:00 p.m. (PH time).
The Nationals are coming off a deflating 95–89 loss to Chinese Taipei in their tournament opener, which dropped the Philippines to a 0–1 record alongside Iraq.
[ALSO READ: Tim Cone disappointed in Gilas' Asia Cup opening loss: 'Like we’re in panic mode for 40 mins']
“I just think that last game, we just wanted it too badly, and that’s why we gave up so many free throws, which was so uncharacteristic of us as a team,” Cone said as Gilas Pilipinas held a team practice ahead of the New Zealand clash.
“We let our enthusiasm get ahead of our execution,” he added.
Truer words were never spoken, as the Philippines fell into an early 27–10 hole by the end of the opening frame.
Though Gilas managed to trim the deficit to 80–74 in the final quarter, Justin Brownlee fouled out with under five minutes left — a blow the team couldn’t recover from.
That setback was compounded by the squad committing 26 fouls, which led to 35 free-throw attempts for Chinese Taipei, along with 16 turnovers that were converted into 18 points.
[ALSO READ: AJ Edu speaks on flat Gilas FIBA Asia Cup 2025 start: 'We're gonna take responsibility']
“I take losses very hard. You’d think I’d be able to handle them better after all these years of coaching, but national teams are a whole different thing. When you don’t raise your expectations, it’s very painful and hard to get over,” Cone admitted.
[ALSO READ: Gilas Pilipinas trail New Zealand, Chinese Taipei in Group D of FIBA Asia Cup 2025]
And while Gilas managed to earn a split against New Zealand in the qualifying stages, the 67-year-old tactician remains wary of the latest Tall Blacks challenge.
“When you play a good team like New Zealand, you might play your best game and [it] may still not be enough.”
After taking on the world no. 22 squad, the Gilas Men will face Iraq in their final group-stage game on Saturday, August 9, at 4:00 p.m. (PH time).
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | Gilas Pilipinas compete at 2025 FIBA Asia Cup]
(With reports from Carlo Pamintuan)