(NI JJ TORRES)

PORMAL nang tinanggap ni Tim Cone ang alok bilang head coach ng Gilas Pilipinas para sa 30th Southeast Asian Games na gaganapin sa bansa mula Nobyembre 30 hanggang Disyembre 11.

Kinumpirma ni Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Al Panlilio ang naging decision ng Barangay Ginebra San Miguel coach matapos nilang magpulong kahapon upang i-finalize ang ilang detalye ng offer na binigay noong nakaraang linggo.

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

“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. 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,” dagdag niya.

Nakatulong din para kay Cone na makuha ang basbas ng mga matataas na opisyal ng San Miguel Corporation sa pamumuno nila Ramon Ang at sports director Alfrancis Chua.

Magbabalik si Cone bilang coach mahigit dalawang dekada matapos hawakan ang pambansang koponan sa 1998 Bangkok Asian Games kung saan nag-uwi sila ng bronze medal.