Cone
Tough task for Gilas
PROTECT the homecourt and beat New Zealand.
This will be foremost in the minds of Gilas Pilipinas and head coach Tim Cone as they take on New Zealand today in the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Game time is 7:30 p.m. with the Filipinos looking only for their first win over the Tall Blacks in five FIBA meetings dating back to 2016 during the Olympic qualifying tournament held in Manila, 89-80.
“We want to certainly protect our home court. These are all very important to us. So I really expect us to be ready and motivate to play,” said Cone after the team’s four-day training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna last Monday.
Gilas Pilipinas defeated reigning PBA Philippine Cup champion Meralco, 96-82, in a tune-up game.
As expected, Cone will pin his hopes on naturalized player Justine Brownlee, PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Scottie Thompson, Calvin Oftana, Kai Sotto, Japeth Aguilar, Dwight Ramos, Kevin Quiambao, Chris Newsome, Carl Tamayo, and Mason Amos.
Like in their previous matchups, Cone expects a tough, physical game from New Zealand.
The Tall Blacks will have a new coach in Judd Flavel, a former player of ex-Gilas coach Tab Baldwin, and former Converge import Tom Vodanovich and veteran Corey Webster.
Also with the 13-man New Zealand team are Taylor Britt, Kaia Isaac, Flyn Cameron, Izayah Mauriohooho Le’afa, Walter Brown, Hyrum Harris, Oscar Goodman, Max Darling, Sam Mennenga, Sam Waardenburg, and Tyrell Harrison.
Brown, Harris, Cameron, Le’afa and Britt played for New Zealand team that placed 22nd in last year’s FIBA World Cup in Manila.
Said Cone: “They are a tough, tough team. They are a physical team. hey’re a nation of rugby players, so they know how to play physically. It’s part of their culture.
“It’s not personal. It’s just the way they play. So that’s something we have to be conscious of.”
