Iran-Israel tension concerning Tim Cone, Gilas ahead of FIBA Asia Cup

Coach Tim Cone is now worried about the ongoing tension in the Middle East ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Wary of the safety for his team, coach Tim Cone said that Gilas Pilipinas is monitoring the situation in the Middle East as a war is brewing between Israel and Iran.

Cone said on Saturday when he was interviewed by Noli Eala and Jera Sison in Power and Play that the tension between the two countries is concerning the national team since they are near Saudi Arabia, the site for the FIBA Asia Cup this August.

"The big question in our mind right now--and we're not going to make too big of a deal about it--will we continue to play in Jeddah with all of the things that are going on in the Middle East? Whether they will change the venue or such, and that's something we're monitoring with FIBA. As we speak, Erika Dy is in contact with FIBA everyday, and we have questions about that. Lot of stuff going on in that area, so we're wondering if this is all gonna push through or maybe the venue will change," Cone said.

Israel caught Iran by surprise on June 13 when Israeli forces attacked key military and nuclear facilities in key Iranian cities, downing some of Iran's key figures in the military, nuclear science, and politics

As Iran struck back a few days later, the United States chimed in afterward, apparently siding with Israel by launching attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites.

The FIBA Asia Cup is not the only major sports event Jeddah will host as the Arabian capital will also host the Esports World Cup beginning July 8.

Like FIBA, the EWC has yet to make a statement if it will push through amid the growing conflict between Iran and Israel.

For now, according to Cone, Gilas is gearing up for the FIBA Asia Cup--whether it will still be in Jeddah or somewhere else--by convening sooner than expected.

Cone said that the national team pool will first meet through Zoom on Monday to orient them of the upcoming training.

Afterward, the practice will commence weekly for the next Mondays.

"If I am not in the finals, I will obviously coach the practices, but if I am in the finals, we'll get Richard [Del Rosario] and Sean Chambers to handle the practices while I'm still with Ginebra," Cone further said.

The daily training would begin after the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, which could be finished by July 27 at the latest, and it could be in the form of a bubble in Angeles.

Cone added that Justin Brownlee should have arrived before June 30 just in time for Gilas' first weekly practice.

"He should be here sometime this week. His thumb is fine. He's ready to go 100 percent, so no worry about that," Cone further said.

Kai Sotto will also travel with Gilas in Jeddah, but Cone said the seven-foot-three giant will be more of a "cheerleader" as his ACL injury recovery could last until November at the soonest.

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