GILAS PILIPINAS remained as a regional basketball court when the smoke cleared from 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok. But for Gilas “A” team coach Tim Cone, that number should not be doubted – challenged by anyone – especially if the country is allowed to send its best team.
“Maybe I shouldn’t say this because I don’t want to take anything for granted. But if we had brought an A team to the Southeast Asian Games, it wouldn’t have been close, obviously,” said Mr Cone, giving credit to his long-time friend Norman Black for fighting against all odds to make it happen.
“Especially if Kai (Sotto) had played. Imagine if Kai had played with June Mar (Fajardo), AJ (Edu) (and) Quentin (Millora-Brown), you know. But it worked out well. It was great and credit to them. I’m proud of them.”
Gilas, under the guidance of PBA Grand Slam and five-peat UAAP champion coach Mr. Black, got the job done in Thailand with a gutsy tournament sweep with a 70-64 win over the hosts for the second time in 20 games.th gold in general – the most in history.
But it wasn’t all a walk in the park as Gilas had to move heaven and earth just to get on the list of contenders after Thailand implemented a succession of law changes that scuppered Gilas’ original plan. Officiating in the finals with Thailand shooting 37 free throws compared to Gilas’ 17 was also a mystery.
Since the group of Mr. Cone A is out because the SEA Games are not included in the FIBA calendar, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas fielded a “B” squad that is only partially competitive to be deemed ineligible by the hosts. Among the few were natural born Justin Brownlee, Mike Phillips, Remy Martin and Jason Brickman.
Robert Bolick, Jamie Malonzo, Poy Erram, Dalph Panopio, Abu Tratter, Von Pessumal, Justin Chua and Cedrick Manzano entered late, resulting in what experts and fans call the “C” team that brought the goods for Team Philippines.
Joining the holdovers are Ray Parks, Jr., Matthew Wright, Thirdy Ravena and Veejay Pre, who also impressed Mr. Cone and might be in the Gilas A team if not for the need to continue his core, especially without the months of preparation for each trip.
And although Mr. Cone who don’t like the A, B and C tags in the Gilas teams, it would have been a cakewalk for the Philippines if they had sent a stronger unit like they did in the 2019 SEA Games at home.
“That’s because we brought a team called A. We had all the people,” said Mr. Cone on his Gilas team that led the region with a huge winning average of 47.3 points in 31St program, including a 115-81 demolition of Thailand in the final.
Gilas then put together a full-blooded Filipino team without any naturalized player like Mr. Brownlee as LA Tenorio, Stanley Pringle, Chris Ross, Roger Pogoy, Marcio Lassiter, Matthew Wright, Kiefer Ravena and Vic Manuel got the job done behind the three towers of Christian Standhardinger, Japeth ni Mr-Far-PBA now and MVP Far.
Now, Mr. Cone has an equally if not better arsenal made up of PBA champions and Filipino imports from the Japan B.League and the Korean Basketball League who compete heavily in FIBA sanctioned tournaments and are currently preparing for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan and the ongoing 2027 FIBAfiers World Cup.
Brownlee, Fajardo, Sotto, Edu, Millora-Brown, Malonzo, Scottie Thompson, CJ Perez, Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, Chris Newsome and Calvin Oftana, and Juan Gomez de Liaño, Troy Rosario and RJ Abarrie.
And that’s what made Mr. Ward’s SEAG gold medal run. Black had a lot of fun, keeping the pride and glory of the country despite a hastily formed team with little preparation or chemistry who still played their hearts out with perseverance with comeback wins in each game.
“They did a great job fighting. I think everyone forgets how great coach Norman (Black) is. He’s a championship team coach. I had no doubts. I know some people did, but I had no doubts. I’ve been against him many times,” said Mr Cone.
“I’m so happy for him that he has that opportunity to remind everyone what a great coach he is. And he’s not only a great coach, he’s a great person. And he really loves his adopted country. And he’ll do anything for it. So, I thank him. I’m really proud that he’s my friend and that he’s been able to do that.” – John Bryan Ulanday
