Coach Tim Cone not joining Gilas in Asiad

Multi-titled Alaska coach Tim Cone will not join the Smart-Gilas national developmental team's coaching staff for this year’s Asian Games.

Definitely not, as the Aces will be in the middle of their campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association’s season-opening Philippine Cup.

“They don’t need me," Cone told GMANews.TV when asked regarding the possibility of joining Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman and Chot Reyes on the national developmental team coaching staff. 

Rajko Toroman

“They’re a great combo. Toroman is such a great coach and Chot will be a perfect assistant and a good scout. I believe I won’t be needed in the team. Besides, by the time they’re competing in the Asian Games, we will be in the middle of our campaign in the PBA and I don’t think I can leave Alaska at that time," added Cone, who celebrated with past and present members of the Alaska squad in the team’s 25th Anniversary party at the Dusit Hotel in Makati. 

Cone was coach of the RP Centennial squad, which he led to a bronze-medal finish in the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok. His possible inclusion in the RP-Smart Gilas coaching staff was brought up by Reyes, according to Toroman.

“I’ve heard they’re trying to talk to Tim Cone regarding the possibility of having him join our team for the Asian Games. Chot is a good friend of Tim so they’re communicating," said Toroman. 

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They don’t need me. I believe I won’t be needed in the team. Besides, by the time they’re competing in the Asian Games, we will be in the middle of our campaign in the PBA and I don’t think I can leave Alaska at that time. 

– Tim Cone, Alaska Aces coach

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But Toroman will now have to settle for Chot as his chief assistant coach. 

A former national team mentor, Reyes handled the all-pro national squad to the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship, where the country finished ninth.

Curiously, it was Toroman’s team, Iran, which won the title and earned an automatic slot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Toroman sees Reyes as a big help to the Filipinos’ campaign.

“His experience will be a big help for us. He has trained his previous national team in Europe and has seen some of the players whom we’re going to face in the Asian Games," said Toroman. 

Chot Reyes

Aside from having Reyes, Toroman is excited to have the three PBA players lent to the team – Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams and Sol Mercado, as well as Fil-Am Chris Lutz.

RP-Smart Gilas team captain Chris Tiu said the team will be pretty much covered in all areas with the addition of these four players.

“I believe we will have a competitive team once they join the squad," said Tiu.

But Toroman explained that the PBA players won’t be treated like stars once they play for the national developmental squad.

“All players must adjust to our system, and it’s not easy because they’re running a different system in their respective teams in the PBA. But they will be a big help. Asi will provide us the inside presence while Kelly is capable of playing both forward spots, and I expect a lot of things from him. Sol is a wide-bodied combo guard and we can use his versatility," added Toroman.

Toroman said that the team’s ultimate goal in the Asian Games is to make it to the semis.

“We’ve prepared for two years for this, and our objective is to make it to the semifinals and win a medal," said Toroman. - KY, GMANews.TV