Aussies ‘just very superior’— Tim Cone

Aussies Prove 'Very Superior' in FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Gilas Pilipinas Falls Short

The Philippines' national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, has been eliminated from medal contention after a disappointing 84-60 loss to Australia at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Coach's Assessment

In his post-game press conference, American coach Tim Cone acknowledged that Australia's size, quickness, and athleticism were significant factors in their decisive victory. While expressing disappointment with the outcome, Cone praised the team's camaraderie and performance throughout the tournament. He noted, however, that Australia's superior athleticism was a major obstacle for Gilas Pilipinas to overcome.

Australia's Dominant Start

The Aussies' quickness and excellent ball movement allowed them to build a commanding 29-12 lead after the opening period. Jaylin Galloway and Jack McVeigh led the charge, accounting for five of their first seven triples in that stretch. This strong start proved difficult for Gilas Pilipinas to overcome.

Solid Defensive Effort

Cone also credited Australia's solid defensive effort, which effectively limited naturalized player Justin Brownlee's scoring opportunities. Brownlee finished with only 10 points on seven attempts. They did a great job defending Justin, limiting him to just seven shots, Cone noted.

Lessons Learned

Despite the loss, Coach Cone remains proud of his team's performance throughout the tournament. He believes that Gilas Pilipinas has learned valuable lessons from their experiences and is determined to apply them in future competitions. This is a great team to be around. I'm proud and honored to be on this team, he said.

Reflections

The FIBA Asia Cup 2025 has come to an end for Gilas Pilipinas, marking the third consecutive time the team has failed to reach the semifinals. However, Coach Cone is confident that the experience will serve as a valuable learning opportunity for his players moving forward.

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