Cone wants Chua active role with Gilas Pilipinas

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone hopes San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua will be given an active role with the program.

Cone is looking forward to Chua joining him on the bench for Gilas' homestand in the second window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers next week.

He believes Chua's presence will enhance the team's think tank and boost player morale, similar to his impact during Gilas' gold medal run in the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Chua served as Gilas co-team manager alongside PBA commissioner Willie Marcial when the Philippines ended a 61-year Asiad gold medal drought.

Cone anticipates Chua, who is also the Barangay Ginebra team governor and PBA vice-chairman, will reprise his motivating role when Gilas hosts New Zealand on November 21 and Hong Kong three days later at the Mall of Asia Arena.