Coach Time Cone has already said no, but he could not refuse when San Miguel Corporation’s top big boss Ramon Ang called him up to handle the national team for the coming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
“He (Ang) said it was ‘para sa bayan’, so I said yes because for me, it was a call of duty. I know how difficult it is but how can I say no to a special request like this (from Ang),” the multi-titled Ginebra mentor said during a press conference on Thursday.
Cone served as Chot Reyes’ assistant at Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup and experienced himself the difficulty of handling a national team and dealing with passionate Filipino basketball fans. When Reyes resigned as head coach, some camps pointed to him as a possible successor, but he refused.
But he could not refuse his bosses in the San Miguel Corp. organization and the call to serve the nation again.
“The only time I broke and shed tears (in basketball) was in the Asian Games 1998. That’s how tough it is. That’s how tough the job is,” said Cone, referring to the Centennial basketball squad that bagged the bronze medal, losing only to Korea and China.
Cone was officially introduced to the media by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio, San Miguel Beer sports executive Alfrancis Chua, and Philippine Basketball Association chairman Ricky Vargas and commissioner Willie Marcial.
“No matter how slim the chance, we’ll gonna support you. I know you are a fighter, basketball naman ito at hindi volleyball, alam mo na ito,” assured Chua, who was designated as the team manager.
Marcial will serve as his deputy.
“I guess we’re not gonna sleep. Wala namang gagalaw na iba. Yes it’s not the World Cup, mahirap or hindi mahirap, lalaban kami,” added Chua.
Cone said the first step now is building the team with only two weeks left even as he assured that “there will be no surprises” in the line-up and “we will get the usual suspects and we’d like the come up with the best team possible.”
Most of the players will still come from the national pool in the World Cup except those who are playing overseas.
He mentioned players like JuneMar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, and Justin Brownlee. And of course, Jamie Malonzo, RR Pojoy, Chris Newsome, and Ange Kouame.
“We would like to include names that we put there (in the World Cup list), but we already knew that the boys in Korea and Japan have obligations to fulfill, so we don’t expect too much from them,” said Panlilio.
The final lineup is expected to be finalized on Monday. (Sept. 11).
Kai Sotto, brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, and Dwight Ramos are seeing action in the Japan Basketball League, while AJ Edu and Renz Abando are playing in Korea.
The Philippines is slated to face Bahrain on Sept. 26 on opening day, then Thailand on Sept. 28, and Jordan on Sept. 30 in the Group Stage of the men’s basketball competition at the Hangzhou Olympic Stadium in China.