CHICAGO -- "It's only 3 am in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) now," Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone told Noli Eala and co-host Jera Sison at the top of his appearance in Saturday morning's Power and Play Show.
Still fighting the brutal effects of jet lag, the concurrent Ginebra coach showed up via Zoom for the live interview that commenced shortly after eight o-clock.
After Philippine president Bongbong Marcos held his State of the Nation address last July 28, it was Cone's turn to appease and appraise Filipino hoops fans on all matters concerning our beloved national team.
READ: Tim Cone has no plans ditching triangle offense in Gilas
Waiting for my guesting turn at the top of the next hour, I was "backstage" during the entirety of Cone's appearance. Held captive, I inhaled every word.
Cone was charismatic, his baby blue eyes glistening through the fog of sleepiness. Although he parsed his words like a seasoned public figure there was never a hint of insincerity as his emotions vacillated between hope, happiness, anxiety and desperation.
DELIGHT AND FRIGHT TO THE EARS.
Most of what he said sounded delicious, like a flood of melted chocolate on the ear drums. However, other utterances induced an earache.
His willingness to initiate roster changes to infuse younger talents to meld with the old was refreshing. So was his willing embrace of Quentin Millora-Brown, the recently classified local player whose imminent arrival he likened as "getting a No.1 pick."
Citing that it's the system he knows best and that he isn't going to implement another one at this stage of his coaching career, Cone's insistence on sticking with the Triangle offense will not please everyone.
But I have renewed confidence.
"The Triangle can still be effective with the right personnel," a former national team coach told me.
I trust Cone will find that personnel.
OUT OF HIS HANDS.
While clarifying that he is only the coach and not the program director of Gilas, Cone said he will push hard for changes that will shorten the PBA season in a way that will allow national team players to rest between conferences before practicing for the national team.
But he clearly doesn't drive the bus that will take us to that favored destination. And the fact that the PBA is where the side of his bread is buttered, it's fair to wonder if his mother team, Ginebra, shares the enthusiasm to cut the PBA calendar from three to two conferences in a year.
I doubt it. And that's where his helplessness and desperation rests.
"It's systemic," he said of the cyclical problem of trying and failing to fit the FIBA calendar into the PBA's year-round tournaments.
This is where the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) can help in the titanic task of trying to sway a giant league into interrupting its regular operations while also disrupting the business as a consequence.
All told. Cone acquitted himself well when he "faced the music" to talk about the ill-fated 2025 FIBA Asia Cup run and what the future holds for Gilas.
Under his watch, it looks like Gilas is in good hands.
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