GILAS Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is elated that former UAAP stars Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao have elevated their respective games since playing overseas, a fact that will largely benefit the national team as it pushes for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Doha, Qatar and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“They’ve come a long way in two years since we started the program, and yet they are still so young,” said Cone, noticing the huge improvement of Tamayo and Quiambao.
Cone said that the two former UAAP stars serve as the future of the Gilas Pilipinas program alongside big men Kai Sotto and AJ Edu.
Tamayo, who played for University of the Philippines in the UAAP, and Quiambao, who suited up for La Salle, are among several Filipino players who thrive in the Korean Basketball League this season.
The 6-foot-8 Tamayo averages 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the defending KBL champions LG Sakers in the ongoing season.
The 6-foot-4 Quiambao, on the other hand, norms 14.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Sono Skygunners.
“Their skills and their games have matured so much, they are an undeniable force on the team now,” added the 68-year-old Cone.
The American mentor believes the two players will become key contributors for Gilas Pilipinas, which is set to reconvene on Monday, Feb. 16, as it prepares for the second window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
The Philippines will play two home games against the pair of two former Oceania powerhouse squads.
The Philippines first faces New Zealand on Feb. 26, followed by Australia on March 1. Both games will be played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto, meanwhile, is back and healthy since tearing his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in January 2025.
His availability for the national team, though, remains a question mark at the moment as Cone said in a recent interview with The Manila Times, that Sotto’s health is of prime consideration.
Sotto’s presence could boost the team’s chances against the tall New Zealand squad.
Sotto, who plays for the Koshigaya Alphas in Japan, averaged double-double of 15.5 points and 12.5 rebounds laced by 3.8 assists, 0.5 steals and 2.3 blocks in four games in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers back in 2024.
Sotto even had his best game in that stretch, a 19-point, 10-rebound, two-block showing in the Philippines’ historic 93-89 win against New Zealand at home for the first time ever in November 2024.
Size-wise, Cone also has an additional big man in June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu and Quentin Millora-Brown who all stand at 6 feet and 10 inches.