Should Gilas Keep Tim Cone and Rebuild the Roster? Or Hit Reset Entirely?
In the aftermath of Gilas Pilipinas’ turbulent international run, the question looms larger than ever: Should Tim Cone remain at the helm, and is it time to rebuild the roster from the ground up?
On paper, Tim Cone is the most decorated coach in Philippine basketball history — a 25-time PBA champion, the architect of the triangle offense in Southeast Asia, and the mastermind behind Gilas’ historic gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games. That victory alone was enough to silence critics — for a time. But international basketball has no long memory. The recent 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers exposed glaring holes: lack of chemistry, inconsistent defense, and an aging core outmatched by quicker, more dynamic opponents.
Yet Cone’s coaching acumen is not in question. What is up for debate is whether his system and roster decisions are sustainable in today’s hyper-athletic, positionless global game. Gilas looked methodical, often predictable, and struggled mightily against teams with deep benches and modern spacing. And that’s not entirely on the coaching — it’s on the roster composition.
Right now, Gilas sits on a fractured foundation:
June Mar Fajardo, a legend but now 36, is battling injuries.
Japeth Aguilar and CJ Perez remain competitive but show signs of wear.
Scottie Thompson has been inconsistent outside the PBA setting.
And naturalized big Justin Brownlee, while still effective, has slowed and may not be the long-term answer.
Meanwhile, young stars like AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, and even NCAA standout Kevin Quiambao remain underutilized or entirely left out. Cone’s preference for familiarity — favoring Ginebra and PBA veterans — has become a double-edged sword: it offers chemistry, but lacks the athletic ceiling needed to compete with Korea, Iran, Japan, or even rising SEA threats like Indonesia.
So, should Gilas keep Tim Cone?
Yes — but only if he’s willing to evolve. Cone must commit to a full integration of youth, including collegiate stars, overseas Filipinos, and emerging role players. If not, a new voice — perhaps from the collegiate or European coaching pipeline — may be necessary.
As for the roster? A hard rebuild is overdue. The PBA veterans who gave their all should be honored — but not relied on for the next Olympic cycle. It’s time to invest in a long-term core: build around Edu, Tamayo, Quiambao, and pursue eligible Fil-foreign talents from the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Develop a system built on versatility, shooting, and defense, not legacy.
The future of Gilas lies not in nostalgia, but in modernization. Keep Cone, if he adapts. Rebuild the roster, with vision. Or risk falling further behind in a rapidly evolving international game.
🏀 Final Verdict:
✅ Keep Tim Cone — but demand a youth-focused reset.
🔁 Rebuild the roster with athleticism, spacing, and global-ready talent.
📉 Standing still is no longer an option for Philippine basketball.
