Tim Cone to keep Gilas roster intact for World Cup qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone plans to maintain the current roster for upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifiers despite a disappointing loss to Australia in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals.

Cone emphasizes the importance of continuity and player development within the program, noting that frequent changes would hinder progress.

The Philippines finished eighth in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, an improvement from their ninth-place finish in 2022, but still fell short of reaching the semifinals.

Coach Cone said it's too early to review performance objectively and will have meetings with the coaching staff and management over the next week or two.

Gilas will face Guam twice in November and December during the first window of qualifiers, with Australia and New Zealand on the schedule for the second window next year.

Cone expressed hope that big man Kai Sotto, recovering from an ACL injury, would be back by the February qualifier window and potentially even in November.