Cone handang tulungan si Reyes sa Gilas

MANILA, Philippines — Hindi pa alam ni Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone kung ano ang magiging papel niya bilang miyembro ng coaching staff ng Gilas Pilipinas.

Ngunit tiniyak niyang suportado niya si national head coach Chot Reyes para sa ilalatag nitong programa ukol sa preparasyon ng koponan sa 2023 FIBA World Cup.

“I haven’t spoken to coach Chot about what my role is going to be,” ani Cone. “But I do know one thing. I’m going to have his back. And he knows that. I’m going to have his back through thick and thin.”

Biglaang inihayag ni Reyes sa PBA Press Corps Annual Awards Night kamakailan ang pagdagdag niya kay Cone sa Gilas coaching staff para sa 2023 FIBA World Cup na pamamahalaan ng Pilipinas, Japan at Indonesia.

Si Reyes ang tuma­yong assistant ni Cone nang kunin ng Centennial Team ang bronze medal sa Asian Games noong 1998 sa Bangkok, Thailand.

“I’m thrilled to be part of it (Gilas coaching staff). I’m honored to be part of it. Hopefully, I can contribute in some way,” wika ng 64-anyos na si Cone, ang winningest coach sa PBA history sa kanyang record na 24 championships.

Makakasama ng two-time PBA Grand Slam champion sa Gilas c­oaching staff sina Jong Uichico, Josh Reyes, Goldwin Monteverde at Nenad Vucinic.