Gilas vows to get past Toroman, Indons

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas switches to full-automatic fire as it eyes its familiar spot at this stage of the Southeast Asian Games the gold medal match at the expense of a semifinal opponent coached by a familiar face Rajko Toroman.

The Nationals, who completed a three-game sweep of Group A with a 136-67 demolition of Myanmar without June Mar Fajardo and Stanley Pringle, take the gloves off as they aim to dispose of the upset-conscious Indonesia.

“We’re gonna go out and show our wares out on Monday. We’re not gonna hold anything back, we’re gonna go after them ‘coz we respect them so much, we know anything can happen against their country,” said Cone, who will unleash a fully loaded complement with the stakes getting higher now.

“We’ll be the favorite team but we’re used to that at this point so we’re gonna go out and get them,” said Cone.

The Indons probably know them better than anyone else with former Gilas mentor Toroman at the helm.

“We all know who their coach is over there. We all know he’s been with the original Gilas team and he coached in the PBA. We all know how disciplined his teams are, they play will great discipline, usually very good shooting teams,” Cone said of Toroman, who handled Gilas 1.0 and steered the all-amateur squad to fourth place in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship.

Meanwhile, Janine Pontejos turned in 18 markers and 19 board as Gilas Pilipinas Women stunned 2017 champions Malaysia, 81-75, and got a shot at the elusive gold medal.

The Filipinas picked up their second consecutive win, making their showdown with fellow 2-0 carder Thailand on a Tuesday a virtual fight for the vacant throne.