MANILA, Philippines – Even though GILAS Pilipinas has secured a spot in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, head coach Tim Cone is still preparing for the most difficult phase of the national team’s campaign, which will take place in three months during the qualifiers’ final window.

Next year, the Filipinos travel to play back-to-back matches against New Zealand on February 23 and Chinese Taipei on February 20.

They head to Auckland for a rematch with the Tall Blacks after playing the Taiwanese in Chinese Taipei.

Gilas Pilipinas defeated both teams at home. It defeated the 22nd-ranked Tall Blacks, 93-89, at the Mall of Asia Arena last week in the just finished second window after thrashing Chinese Taipei, 106-53, at Philsports Arena in window 1 last February.

The national team will now need to do tasks away from home.

In order to assist the Gilas Pilipinas team develop and adjust to international play, coach Tim Cone underlined the value of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers’ format, especially its various windows. He emphasized that the team may improve their skills and obtain priceless experience thanks to these chances. Cone noted that future advancements would be built on the expertise gained from this second window as well as the lessons discovered during the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT). He emphasized that the team’s performance in the upcoming window could be improved by this acquired knowledge.

Cone also emphasized the value of flexibility, particularly since Gilas would need to play on the road in the upcoming phase. According to the coach, there are particular difficulties in playing in a hostile environment, such as getting used to new courts, navigating angry crowds, and overcoming travel fatigue. He pointed out that mastering these elements is essential to the team’s development and success.

The coach expressed optimism that these experiences would help Gilas develop a stronger, more cohesive approach. He acknowledged that winning on foreign soil is a significant hurdle, but it is one that the team must overcome to prove its mettle on the global stage. By focusing on preparation and using past performances as stepping stones, Cone is confident that Gilas can rise to the occasion in the upcoming challenges.

Tim Cone, head coach of Gilas Pilipinas, recognized the tremendous task ahead of his team as they get ready to play Taiwan and New Zealand on the road in back-to-back matches during the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers window. Prior to the actual event, which will take place in Saudi Arabia from August 5–17, these matches are expected to assess the team’s resiliency and preparedness.

Cone underlined the task’s complexity, pointing out that Taiwan and New Zealand are both strong rivals with unique advantages on the home floor. From adjusting to new arenas to enduring the pressure of rival crowds, he noted that playing on the road adds another level of difficulty. Cone pointed out that because of these elements, the February window is a crucial time for the team’s preparation.

In describing the forthcoming back-to-back away games as the “toughest part of the window,” the coach emphasized how important these games are in determining Gilas’ competitive advantage. He admitted that Taiwan’s physical play and tactical discipline make the task more difficult, and that the Tall Blacks, who are rated 22nd in the world, are an especially tough opponent.

Cone had a forward-looking outlook despite the intimidating nature of the forthcoming games, seeing the task as a crucial test of Gilas’ development and potential. He underlined that the team is already preparing tactically and psychologically for the taxing stretch, seeing it as a chance to improve their performance even more and fortify their solidarity as a team.

Cone reaffirmed that these high-stakes games are essential to his players’ growth and expressed confidence in their capacity to step up to the challenge. Gilas is still committed to acquiring experience and momentum as they are ready to take on these obstacles head-on and make sure they are ready for the Asia Cup tournament in August.