Cone, who also coached the Nationals to a bronze-medal finish in the 1998 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, expressed gratitude to the responsibility entrusted to him.

Tim Cone formally accepted the challenge to coach the national men's basketball team in the 30th SEA Games. (Contributed photo)

As expected, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) formally appointed Ginebra mentor Tim Cone as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

SBP president Al Panlilio made the announcement saying that Cone expressed willingness to coach the national team and help it get back on its feet following a disastrous performance in the FIBA Basketball World Cup that led to the resignation of former coach Yeng Guiao.

“I spoke to Tim Cone last Saturday and he expressed interested but wanted to finish his game last night and talk to his family first,” Panlilio said.

“Now, I’m very happy to announce that coach Tim has officially accepted the role as head coach for Gilas Pilipinas Men in the upcoming SEA Games.”

San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang and sports director Alfrancis Chua were also instrumental in coach’s decision as they issued him the green light to commit.

Panlilio said this development would definitely start their preparation for the biennial meet.

“The resolution of our head coach situation should signify the start of our SEA Games preparations because the other countries like Indonesia are already putting in the work,” Panlilio said.

“We also want to reiterate that we’re taking it one step at a time and this arrangement is for the SEA Games only, for now. We’re still putting together a plan on how to move forward with our preparations for 2023 and beyond.”

Cone, who also coached the Nationals to a bronze-medal finish in the 1998 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, expressed gratitude to the responsibility entrusted to him.

He said the hard work would begin in the next couple of days.

“Even though my appointment is just a stop gap measure and a short term commitment, I am incredibly honored and proud to be selected to coach in the SEA Games. Wow! I’m very happy to help in any way.” Cone said.

“I will sit down with the SBP over the next couple of days and come up with a plan of attack in terms of preparation, and we’re hoping by the end of the week we’ll have a pool of players working together at full force. I’m extremely excited to get going,” he added.

Cone said he couldn’t turn his back to the country that has been his home for the past 30 years.

“Simply, I was called to serve. I realize it’s a short-term commitment, but still, I have an obligation to help in any way I can. As I’ve said, I’m excited,” said Cone, the most successful mentor in the Philippine Basketball Association with 21 titles and two grand-slam achievements.

Cone is expected to come up with a competitive roster in the next few days to beat the 30 September deadline set by the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee for the submission of entry by names.

Then, he has to whip the squad into fighting form since regional teams like Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia have greatly improved due to their exposure in the Asean Basketball League.

In fact, in the 28th SEA Games in Singapore, the Filipinos, who were powered by Marcus Douthit, flirted with disaster before escaping Thailand in the semifinals, 80-75. Then, they showed some traces of vulnerability against cat-quick playmaker Mario Wuysang and the Indonesians before coming up with a72-64 win in the gold medal game.

All in all, the Philippines won 17 gold and two silver medals in the biennial meet.

The only time the Filipinos lost the gold was in 1979 in Jakarta and 1989 in Kuala Lumpur.

And with Cone finally agreeing to call the shots in the biennial meet, the federation is optimistic that the glorious run will continue when the country hosts the biennial meet from 30 November to 11 December.