‘We will be better’

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is not one to put a positive spin on a crushing defeat like what the Nationals experienced against Chinese-Taipei.

He always calls it as it is.

“No one feels worse about this devastating loss than I do and I take full ownership of it,” Cone posted on social media after the Taiwanese stopped his previously unbeaten crew on its tracks, 91-84, in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers Thursday night in Taipei.

Parading a retooled squad bent on staying in the hunt for the Asia Cup proper, the Taiwanese were all over the visiting Filipinos in the return match.

Senegalese-American-born Mohammad Al Bachir Gadiaga played a key role in creating separation in second canto and joined forces with Tieng Chen Lin, Chun Hsiang Lu and Chien-Hao Ma in Taiwan’s 15 triples against Gilas.

Seven-foot naturalized player Brandon Gilbeck was a rock in the interior, swatting away five shots while producing eight points spiked by a dagger follow-up dunk in the dying seconds plus eight rebounds despite foul woes.

When the smoke cleared, Chinese-Taipei celebrated its first victory against Gilas in a FIBA tournament since the group led by Quincy Davis hammered an 84-79 verdict in the 2013 Asian Championship group stage in Manila.

By avenging their 53-106 first-window beating from the Asia Cup-qualified Pinoy dribblers (4-1), the Taiwanese also strengthened their hold of third spot in Group B at 2-3 and boosted their bid for a late entry to Continental meet via the final qualifying tournament.

“We knew they were going to be much improved from the last time we played them, but they were even better than we thought. That’s on me. No doubt, I should have prepared us better,” said Cone.

Chinese-Taipei threw Gilas off its rhythm with a stifling pressure defense that enabled it to score 12 easy points off the latter’s 17 turnovers. The home squad used a mix of inside-outside assault, making 15 shots from deep against the visitors’ 10 while producing more in the paint, 28-16, and netting 22 second-chance points versus the Filipinos’ 16.

Justin Brownlee carried the brunt of the Gilas offensive with 39 whereas Chinese-Taipei had four players with at least 14.

“There is obviously a lot that I would have done differently in that game if given another chance, but that is not possible now. Only thing we can do at this point is move on. I will be better. We will be better,” said Cone.

They better be – especially with payback-seeking New Zealand (4-1) lying in wait in a grudge match and explosive dispute for the group’s top seeding Sunday in Auckland.