Cone sees medal finish for Team Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — It’s easier said than done but coach Tim Cone thinks that the Philippine men’s basketball team can land a medal – of any color – in the Asian Games.

Cone was the last person to steer the Philippine basketball team to a medal finish in the Asiad, scoring the feat with the Centennial Team in 1998.

“That was 20 years ago,” he said.

After many fruitless attempts, the Philippines will get another crack at a medal in this Asian Games in Jakarta, and Cone is quite optimistic.

“I just think they have to get out of opening round. If they get out of the opening round, I think they’ll medal,” he said.

But again, that’s easier said than done considering that the first two games in the preliminaries will be against Kazakhstan on Aug. 16 and China on Aug. 21.

“It’s not going to be easy getting out of the opening round with Kazakhstan and China. They’re both really good teams,” Cone added.

With the core of Rain or Shine and a sprinkling of stars, the team coached by Yeng Guiao indeed has a viable chance.

But it has to get past either Kazakhstan or China, or both, in order to advance.

Cone said Guiao knows what to do.

“I think the opening game is the most important game. I don’t say they can’t beat China… they can beat China. But if you’ve got to choose in making sure in beating one of them, I’d better beat Kazakhstan,” the Ginebra coach said.

“I would (focus on beating Kazakhstan). Because you don’t know China… China can put up a really big game together,” he added.

For Cone, winning both games is not an impossible task.

“Who knows maybe they sweep them both. But the danger is there. That’s just it. If they get off those two, I think they’ll medal – probably easily,” he said.