TIM Cone said he is pleased to see Gilas Pilipinas play with a lot of energy and discipline on both ends of the floor as the Philippine team rolled past Manawatu Jets, 92-61, in their friendly game Sunday in Palmerston North in New Zealand.
“I thought we organized into our offense well. That's what we were looking to do going into the game,” Cone told The Manila Times on Monday.
Gilas played without naturalized player Justin Brownlee, as Cone opted to rest the latter.
But the national squad’s youngsters took charge, providing the energy that allowed them to score at will en route to routing the Jets.
“We like the balanced scoring without Justin in the lineup,” added the Gilas mentor.
Cone also commended the players for hardly complaining despite the travel woes they encountered on their way from Brisbane, Australia to Wellington, New Zealand.
“We've definitely had some hardships on this trip but we haven't heard a peep about it from the players,” said Cone.
“They've been great troopers, moving from practices to games with a smile. It's a pleasure to be around them.”
Gilas will play the Franklin Bulls on Tuesday to conclude their two-game friendly as part of their preparations for the window 3 of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The Philippines then, faces New Zealand on July 3 in Auckland, before clashing with world No. 6 Australia in Perth.
Gilas is eager to bounce back since dropping a narrow 66-69 decision to New Zealand in their second window match last February at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The slim defeat proved to be a bad omen as Gilas suffered a humiliating 93-66 demolition at the hands of Australia a few days later to end its home games with back-to-beat defeats.
Gilas won’t have its stratospheric front court big men in Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown.
The 7-3 Sotto will be pursuing his NBA dream once more after his successful comeback from a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) on his knee.
Millora-Brown, meanwhile, recently underwent back surgery.
UAAP star Mike Phillips and Converge big man Justine Baltazar were named to the final 12, where the two combined for 13 points and provided the hustle in the win versus the Jets. RICHARD DY
