SEASONS come and go in the PBA, and Chris Newsome has handled each one with grace.
But beyond his home team Meralco, Newsome also considers Gilas Pilipinas his family. He says he couldn’t ask for a better father figure than coach Tim Cone, especially now that he’s entering a new chapter in life: marriage.
For the do-it-all guard, Cone’s mentorship goes well beyond the court. It reflects the kind of culture that has taken shape under his leadership over the past year with the national team.
READ: Gilas climbs out of 21-point hole to beat Macau in sendoff match
“This team, they’re some of the most unselfish people you’ll ever meet on and off the court. Everyone likes to share — the love, the ball. This Gilas? It’s never about a single person,” Newsome told SPIN.ph on Monday during the send-off game against the Macau Black Bears at Araneta.
He added, “Coach Tim does a really good job emphasizing that. Everyone’s selfless, and it all stems from the system he’s built for us.”
Newsome and his wife, Cam Lagmay-Newsome, got married earlier this month. Despite both having packed schedules, Cone made sure to be there in spirit and support.
“Coach Tim understands what it’s like to be in that situation. He sees the bigger picture, not just basketball, but also becoming a better man — and marriage is part of that,” Newsome said. “Without his understanding, I wouldn’t be able to juggle both love and career.”
That perspective carries over into how the team plays, too. Newsome says their chemistry has grown thanks to their selflessness on the court.
“The triangle’s made for assists. That shows how we’re moving the ball, sharing it, collapsing the defense, and finding the open guy. It really comes from the system,” he explained.
As Gilas prepares for the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah this August, Newsome is glad he got to give the home crowd a glimpse of that unspoken connection.
“What we saw in the second half — we were penetrating and making plays. Amazing. It’s a blessing anytime we get to wear this jersey,” he said. “The atmosphere was electric. You don’t always find that, even in the PBA.”
With renewed purpose and added motivation now that he’s a married man, Newsome is locked in.
“Every time I wear this jersey, I’m going to give my all — whether it’s a tune-up, a qualifier, wherever. There are a million other people who would love to be in this position,” he said.
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