Tim Cone the perfect choice as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas, says Brian Goorjian

Australian national men’s basketball team head coach Brian Goorjian has expressed his approval of Gilas Pilipinas’ decision to appoint Tim Cone as the new coach, stating that Cone is the “perfect coach for the future of Philippine basketball.”

Goorjian, who previously coached the Bay Area Dragons in the PBA and faced off against Cone’s Brgy. Ginebra in the Commissioner’s Cup finals, recognizes Cone’s coaching prowess and believes he is the right fit for the team.

“I only had one year there (in the Philippines) but there’s no one I had more respect for in the game of basketball in the Philippines than Tim Cone,” said Goorjian in an interview during training camp organized by the East Asia Super League at the Hoops Dome in Lapu Lapu City on Saturday, March 9.

“And I think Tim Cone’s a perfect coach for the future of Philippine basketball. He’s been there. He knows the system. He knows the players. He’s respected and he’s smart, knowledgeable,” he added.

In addition to Cone’s appointment, Goorjian also praised the inclusion of promising young players like Kai Sotto and Kevin Quiambao in the Gilas lineup. These new additions bring fresh talent and excitement to the team, setting a positive tone for the future of Philippine basketball.

Cone has already made an impact as interim head coach of Gilas, leading the team to a gold medal in the Asian Games and securing impressive wins in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. The team’s dominant performances against Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei in February showcased their potential under Cone’s leadership.

As Goorjian prepares for his fourth Olympic run with the Australian national team, he is focused on building upon their bronze medal finish in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. With NBA rising stars like Josh Giddey, Duop Reath, Dyson Daniels, Josh Green, and standout player Xavier Cooks leading the team, Goorjian is optimistic about their chances in the upcoming Olympic tournament.

Meanwhile, Gilas faces a tough challenge as they aim to secure a spot in the Olympics for the first time since 1972. Competing in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia, Gilas will need to overcome strong opponents like Georgia and the host team in the group stage before potentially facing off against powerhouse teams like Brazil, Cameroon, and Montenegro.

The road to Olympic qualification will be a challenging one for Gilas, but with Cone at the helm and a talented roster at their disposal, they have the potential to make history for Philippine basketball.