MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone admitted that while preparation time has been the recurring topic of criticism whenever the national team falters, the issue runs far deeper than just scheduling.
Speaking candidly in an interview with Power and Play with Noli Eala program, Cone said the constraints he and his staff face go beyond practice days, pointing to a larger problem embedded in the country’s basketball system.
“The bottom line is we can’t personally change that. I can’t worry about what I can’t control,” Cone said. “We’re working under certain constraints in terms of time, preparation, and budget. I guess the problem is very large. It’s systemic.”
The multi-titled PBA coach stressed that other nations competing in FIBA tournaments, like Australia and New Zealand, enjoy uninterrupted months of training camps and exhibition matches after their pro leagues pause.
In contrast, the PBA calendar spans nearly 11 months, leaving national team call-ups with only days to prepare, and for the FIBA Asia Cup, Gilas only had a handful of full practices with most of its core, as several players were still tied to club duties.
Asked if he would recommend structural changes such as shortening the PBA season or reworking its schedule to give Gilas longer training windows, Cone did not mince words.
“Yes, of course. I would love to have more preparation time. But again, who’s in control here? I’m just the coach. I’ve never been given the title of program director. I’ve never been given that power. My job is simply to work with what I’m given,” Cone said.
Budgetary concerns also compound the challenge said Cone, explaining that, unlike the lead-up to the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where resources were poured into months-long training, the team now operates with far tighter financial support.
Looking ahead, Cone revealed that Gilas will only have six days of preparation before the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, with some Japan-based players arriving just three days before tip-off due to league restrictions.
Given those realities, Cone said making drastic roster changes would be risky, as the team would have no time to develop chemistry.
“If we make wholesale changes and then we only have three days to prepare, how good are we going to be?” he asked. “We’re just trying to do the best within the parameters we’re given.”/PN
