PHILIPPINE men’s basketball team head coach Tim Cone knows that early preparation and acclimation will be critical for the team’s preparations for the third window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian qualifiers.
Gilas Pilipinas will play two away games for the final window, facing New Zealand on July 3 in Auckland and world basketball powerhouse Australia on July 6 in Perth.
Cone said the weather in Auckland is cold at this time, and historically, the city experiences its coldest days during the month of July.
No wonder, the American mentor said flying to Auckland many days before the game versus the Tall Blacks is imperative.
“Masyadong malamig sa Auckland right now, so we want to go down there a little early and try to catch up to the weather. It’s mga 12, 13 degrees. Walang heat sa gym in Auckland,” Cone said, in a mixture of Filipino and English, during Wednesday night’s post-game media talk after leading Ginebra to the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup title.
Coming from the Philippines, which is a tropical country, Cone said that playing before enemy territory at this time of the year will be a challenge.
“So it’s going to be a trial for our guys. But we’re going to go down there early and try to adjust,” said Cone.
The Philippines bowed to New Zealand, 69-66, when they clashed during the second window last February at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The loss proved to be a bad omen as Gilas Pilipinas suffered a massive 93-66 beating at the hands of Australia a few days later to end its home games with back-to-beat defeats.
For the third window, Gilas Pilipinas will not have its two tall front court warriors Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown.
