PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Seasoned coach Tim Cone claimed that winning the men's basketball title in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games is sweeter than what he achieved in 2019.

After leading Gilas Pilipinas to the title when the country hosted the Games in 2019, Cone is thankful for the opportunity of being part of the squad that was tasked to reclaim the gold medal it lost in the Hanoi edition of the meet last year.

He said the achievement of the current team is truly special as it overcame great odds just to bring back the glory and reclaim the gold medal that is considered as the most important piece of hardware for basketball-crazy Filipinos.

"The 2019 when we won the gold in the Southeast Asian Games, that was great," Cone, the winningest mentor in the Philippine Basketball Association, said in an interview.

"But this one is sweeter. The harder it is, the sweeter it is. The competition was so much harder than this time around. This one in 2023 is a lot sweeter than the one in 2019."

Cone stressed that he is keeping his fingers crossed, hoping that the Filipinos will carry the momentum until they host the FIBA Basketball World Cup from 25 August to 10 September.

'The 2019 when we won the gold in the Southeast Asian Games, that was great.'

"I hope it continues all the way to the World Cup and beyond," Cone said.