![Tim Cone (second from left) gives directions to (from left) Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo as the women's team trains in the background](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2023/09/IMG_0273_Gilas-mens-and-womens-open-practice_Chris-Newsome-Clavin-Oftana-Coach-Tim-Cone-Terrence-Romeo-scaled.jpg)
Tim Cone (second from left) gives directions to (from left) Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo as the women’s team practices in the background. —MARLO CUETO.
Just days away from the Asian Games, Tim Cone can cross a few things off his worry list.
He already has a 12-man roster and everyone – even the alternate at No. 13 – is excited about representing the Philippines in the continental Olympics basketball competition.
“I don’t have to worry about motivation; they are motivated,” Cone said Thursday during an open practice held jointly by the men’s and women’s teams at the PhilSports Arena.
Beneath the surface, there also doesn’t seem to be a need for Cone to worry about the red-hot coaching spot that Chot Reyes has vacated.
On a training day open to the public, fans were easily drawn to the Barangay Ginebra coach, with several taking selfies with the Philippine Basketball Association’s all-time leader in championships among tacticians.
“I don’t think there’s anything against coach Reyes, but it’s… the best thing for coach Tim Cone to prove that what he can do is different from coach Chot,” said Angelo Fabie, a spectator who participated in a of the fan interaction games held during the event. .
Polarized
Fan opinion was extremely polarized during Reyes’ time as national coach, with vitriol reaching a boiling point during the World Cup. Reyes has since stepped down as national coach and has explained the behind-the-scenes issues that hampered the national team’s preparations for the World Cup.
So far, fans are generally optimistic about Cone, without heaping the same expectations on the shoulders of the World Cup squad.
“[P]He has already proven a lot professionally,” said fan John Francis Capoon.
“I think there is still continuity considering Tim Cone was an assistant coach to Chot and we all know Tim Cone is the winningest coach in Philippine basketball so that won’t be a problem,” said Fabio Ontong Jr .
Cone hasn’t said much about the team’s prospects, but he believes the national team is in the right frame of mind to begin the country’s medal bid.
“We are all available. Everyone wants to be here. That is the biggest and strongest part of the team, they are excited to be part of the national team,” Cone said.
“They are excited about the prospect of playing China, Korea, Bahrain and Jordan.”
Remains
Fiba World Cup holdover June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar and Roger Pogoy, wearing street clothes, were in open training, along with Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo, Jason Perkins, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome and Justin Brownlee.
Scottie Thompson, Mo Tautuaa, Ange Kouame and Stanley Pringle skipped the event, who continues to practice with the team despite his role as an alternate.
“Stanley is our 13th [player] in case something happens. He sacrificed himself to come here and work with us, even though he doesn’t have a place on the team right now,” Cone said.
The Asian Games start on September 23, with the men’s team kicking off their bid for a medal finish against Bahrain on September 26.
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