TIM Cone on Friday admitted the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has shown interest to keep him as Gilas Pilipinas coach, but also made it clear that he has no knowledge on whether the federation has reached a decision on the matter.
Cone said he has not received any word from the SBP in relation to the Gilas coaching position, although he admitted there were conversations between him and the SBP leadership last week.
Cone says there were talks
“There’s nothing that asked me about Gilas. Nothing is going on. We’ve had some conversations but there’s nothing that has been done insofar,” said Cone on Friday after Ginebra’s win over NorthPort in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
“They’ve interviewed me, they talked to me about it, but there’s been no firm answer yet. That’s where we are at this point,” said Cone.
When asked if SBP has already reached out to him after their conversation, Cone said: “Not yet but I’m not sure if I’m the one they are settling on.”
Cone urged the public to wait for the SBP’s official announcement with regards to the Gilas coach.
“I think everybody’s jump the gun on this. That’s up to the SBP and I think they are still up in the air about it. I have had some conversations with them but there’s nothing definite. I think you have to wait for their announcement on how they want to do it,” said Cone.
Cone is in line to stay on as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas after leading the team to a gold medal in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China while serving on an interim basis following the resignation of Chot Reyes after the World Cup.
The Gilas coaching job, however, will need to be decided soon as the national team is slated to compete in the first window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers.
Gilas set to meet HK
Gilas is slated for a road game against Hong Kong on February 22 at the Tsuen Wan Stadium, before going home to take on Chinese Taipei on February 25 at the Philsports Arena.
“I know that they are kinda in a hurry because the February window will be in a few weeks. They still have to assemble the team and do all kinds of things. But it’s not on me to announce anything or say anything.
“It’s really on the SBP. You wanna find out what’s going on, you’ve got to go to the source, go to the SBP president or [executive] director. Either Erika (Dy) or Sir Al Panlilio. But it’s not on me to say anything,” said Cone.
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