It's official: Tim Cone is Gilas Men coach for SEAG

Tim Cone will officially take over Gilas Men coaching duties for the SEA Games. Dennis Acosta (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Now it can finally be told: Tim Cone will Gilas Pilipinas Men for the Southeast Asian Games.

"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," SBP president Al Panlilio said in a statement on Monday.

Cone himself confirmed the development and said, "I am incredibly honored and proud to be selected to coach in the SEA Games."

Although in a "stopgap" agreement, Cone assured that he will be hands-on in Gilas Men's bid to keep the men's 5-on-5 gold in the SEA Games, which will take place at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay from Dec. 5-10.

"I'm very happy to help in any way," he continued. "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."

But Panlilio hinted that they may need to rush things up.

"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 continued.

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