Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone throughout the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers sport. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines—Coach Tim Cone can’t wait to be again on the Gilas Pilipinas sidelines 4 months earlier than the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup.
Cone expressed his pleasure over his upcoming responsibility with the nationwide crew following Tuesday evening’s draw the place Gilas was slotted in Group D together with New Zealand, Chinese language Taipei and Iran.
“Our draw: NZ, Taiwan, Iraq. Can’t wait to get again with the Gilas guys and get again to work,” wrote Cone.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas attracts acquainted foes in 2025 Fiba Asia Cup
“All-Filipino first, however trying ahead to the Asia Cup in August. We’ll be prepared.”
Gilas has had latest success in opposition to New Zealand and Taipei having confronted the 2 squads throughout the Asia Cup qualifiers.
It could not have proven within the third leg when Gilas dropped each video games to Chinese language Taipei and New Zealand however within the second leg, the Philippines toppled New Zealand, 93-89, at Mall of Asia Area.
Gilas additionally defeated Chinese language Taipei convincingly within the qualifiers’ first window, additionally on dwelling soil, 106-53.
Iraq, although, is a foe that the Philippines hasn’t confronted in fairly some time.
READ: Tim Cone owns as much as Gilas’ fatigue, lauds gamers in PBA semis
Their final Fiba match was all the way in which again in 2017 when Gilas defeated the Iraqis, 84-68, with a very completely different lineup.
Now, it’s again to sq. one for all 4 groups in Group D, very similar to it will likely be for the opposite groupings.
Qatar, Australia, Lebanon and Korea will duke it out in Group A.
Filipino-Guamanian Jericho Cruz can be in Group B alongside powerhouse Japan, Syria and Iran.
Group C, in the meantime, is comprised of China, Jordan, India and Saudi Arabia.
Earlier than Cone can concentrate on Gilas duties, although, he’ll first need to handle Ginebra within the Philippine Cup after a disappointing loss to TNT within the Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
The Gin Kings open their marketing campaign on April 23 in opposition to Terrafirma at Araneta Coliseum.
