By now, most Filipino fans have already heard of Gilas Pilipinas’ unique approach in Window 4 of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. For those who don’t know yet, it’s the one‑point win mantra, with head coach Tim Cone himself writing the words “one point win” on the national team’s whiteboard at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Incidentally, Gilas Pilipinas beat Jordan on Friday by—you guessed it—a solitary point. So, to a degree, the approach worked. But what exactly is it?
What Is the One-Point Win Thing?
First, know what it isn’t: the one-point win mantra doesn’t mean Gilas Pilipinas wants to win their games by one point. Instead, it’s an approach to these must‑win contests where every possession is viewed as infinitely valuable.
“There’s a reason for the one point win. When you’re working for a one-point win, you have to value every possession offensively and defensively. So, that’s really the point of that… We’re not necessarily looking for a one‑point win, but we’re trying to play as if it’s going to be a one‑point win. And that means valuing each possession defensively and offensively. But I would have certainly preferred a 10‑point win than a one-point win,” Cone explained after Gilas Pilipinas’ dramatic escape versus Jordan.
It didn’t look like Gilas Pilipinas was valuing every possession at the start, when they fell behind by 18 early. But as the game progressed, the tide turned as the Philippines began playing with the urgency the mantra demands. In the end, the nationals won by one.
Gilas Pilipinas Hopes for a Repeat Run
Needless to say, Cone, Gilas Pilipinas, and fans are hoping the team embodies the one-point win mantra once again against Iran—only this time, it will have to start much earlier. Gilas Pilipinas must play with even more urgency as they face a hungry Iranian squad looking to bounce back from their own one‑point loss to New Zealand, also on Friday.
Iran will be parading a talented five reinforced by superb scorer Mohammad Amini, who adds firepower to a team that already has capable playmakers in Matin Aghajanpour and Mohammad Jamshidi. Together, Amini, Aghajanpour, and Jamshidi form a tall and skilled wing rotation that should test Gilas Pilipinas.
But with a bigger frontcourt anchored by Kai Sotto, Gilas Pilipinas could have the advantage in the paint and on the boards—two areas likely to be a priority given Cone’s inclination to play two‑big lineups.
In the end, urgency could be the deciding factor, and this is where the one‑point win mindset comes into play.
Again, it doesn’t mean winning by just one point. But with every victory critical, Cone and Gilas Pilipinas will gladly take a one‑point win, too.
