Cone wants Chua on board Gilas

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone remained hopeful that San Miguel Corporation sports director Al Francis Chua will join the national team for the November window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers as a great addition to the coaching staff. 

Speaking at a press conference at the Cignal CX Center Studio in Mandaluyong, Cone pointed out that Chua is flexible in terms of role, whether from a management standpoint or as part of the coaching staff. 

“We're hoping… Oh, I mean, Al is Al. I mean, Alfrancis is… he's a special motivator. And, you know, whether you're, you know, whether from a management point or from sitting on the bench and adding to the coaching, you know, he's just a tremendous motivator,” Cone told reporters. 

Cone emphasized just how important Chua was, especially during the Hangzhou Asian Games, where Gilas won gold with the executive serving as the team manager. 

“He knows how to treat players, he knows how to use that word to motivate, but it goes beyond that. You know, he's very relational with the players. And I see that obviously with Ginebra, you know, see that with San Miguel and Magnolia as well. But I see it more up close for Ginebra. And, you know, his impact in the Asian games in which we won the gold,” he said.

“I mean, I've said it in the past, but he was much more responsible for winning that gold than anybody else in the whole, including myself, including Justin,” he added.

The Barangay Ginebra head coach also underscored his relationship with Chua as they have been together in the league for so many years.

“I feel very comfortable around him because I know he has my back all the time, you know, and I think that's always important. And to have guys who feel like he has your back, he always has my back, and the players trust him as well,” Cone said.

“He always has my back and the players trust him as well… So I'm hoping and that he is going to be on the bench come the 21st.”

Gilas will take on New Zealand on November 21 and Hong Kong on November 24. Both games will be at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. — Brent Sagre, intern