There is no shortage of pressure surrounding Gilas Pilipinas as the national men’s basketball team prepares for another Asian Games campaign.

This time, however, Tim Cone is seeing something that could make the challenge easier to handle: genuine excitement from the players.

The veteran coach has been encouraged by the attitude of the current Gilas pool as the Philippines prepares to defend its men’s basketball championship in Nagoya, Japan. Rather than appearing overwhelmed by the expectations attached to the national team, the players have shown a strong desire to compete and represent the country.

That enthusiasm could become an important ingredient for a squad that will look considerably different from the team that won gold in Hangzhou three years ago.

Gilas is entering the Asian Games with a group built largely around PBA talent. The composition of the roster reflects a deliberate effort to create a team specifically suited to the demands of the tournament instead of simply carrying over the lineup used in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Cone believes that approach has given the players an opportunity to develop their own identity.

The team is expected to play with considerable pace, taking advantage of a younger and more athletic group. Instead of depending solely on half-court execution, Gilas can utilize transition opportunities, defensive pressure and quick ball movement to make the most of its personnel.

That could open the door for several guards and wings to play significant roles.

Robert Bolick is among the players expected to provide leadership and scoring, while RJ Abarrientos brings creativity and energy to the backcourt. Adrian Nocum is another player capable of making an impact with his athleticism and defensive activity.

The coaching staff will also have other PBA standouts available, including Jerrick Ahanmisi, Don Trollano and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.

The frontcourt offers another collection of options. Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana, Brandon Bates and Zav Lucero are expected to shoulder much of the team’s interior responsibilities.

While some of the players have already experienced international competition, the group as a whole does not have the same amount of familiarity that previous Gilas teams possessed.

That makes the team’s preparation especially important.

The Philippines opted to form a separate Asian Games group rather than asking the same players who competed in the FIBA qualifying window to immediately carry another international workload.

Cone has explained that the decision was influenced by the experience of the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.

The Philippines had just come from the FIBA World Cup in Spain, where Gilas competed against some of the world’s best teams. The demanding tournament left the players physically and mentally drained, and that fatigue eventually became evident during the Asian Games.

The national team finished seventh.

This time, the objective is to prevent history from repeating itself.

By creating a dedicated Asian Games squad, the coaching staff has been able to give the players a more focused preparation period. The group can concentrate specifically on the competition ahead instead of attempting to balance preparations for multiple international assignments.

The presence of Abarrientos, Baltazar and Arana also provides some continuity because all three have already been part of the wider national team program.

There is still one potentially significant piece missing from the puzzle.

Justin Brownlee’s availability remains a major consideration for Cone and the coaching staff. The naturalized Filipino has been dealing with injuries, and his participation will depend on his condition and medical clearance.

Rather than immediately filling the final roster position, Cone has kept the door open for Brownlee.

If the veteran forward is unable to participate, the coaching staff has indicated that Gilas can still proceed with an 11-man lineup.

That confidence reflects the team’s belief in its depth.

The task ahead, nevertheless, will be demanding.

The Philippines will enter the Asian Games as the defending champion after finally reclaiming the men’s basketball gold medal in Hangzhou in 2023. That victory ended a decades-long wait for the country’s return to the top of the Asian Games basketball podium.

Now, the challenge is to prove that the triumph was not an isolated achievement.

Gilas is scheduled to open its title defense against Bahrain on September 11 before meeting Kazakhstan on September 12. The group stage will then produce a heavyweight test against China on September 14.

Those games will offer an early indication of whether the new-look Philippine squad can handle the expectations surrounding the defending champions.

The team’s preparations will also include training and tune-up games in South Korea, giving the players valuable opportunities to establish chemistry before the tournament begins.

For Cone, however, the most encouraging development may have nothing to do with tactics or statistics.

It is the attitude inside the locker room.

The players understand that defending an Asian Games title comes with enormous expectations, but they appear willing to embrace rather than avoid that responsibility.

Cone now has the task of turning that motivation into a disciplined and cohesive basketball team.

The names may have changed, and the approach may be different from previous Gilas editions, but the objective remains straightforward.

Bring home another gold medal.

And if the energy Cone has witnessed during preparations is any indication, Gilas Pilipinas will arrive in Nagoya believing that the target is within reach.