Expect a very different Gilas Pilipinas squad repping the country in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya—and it will surely play differently from the one fans have been used to seeing under Tim Cone.
That’s because, according to Cone himself, he has taken a hands‑off approach to the Asian Games Gilas team, which he says is being piloted by trusted deputies Richard Del Rosario and Jong Uichico.
“It’s a different system. They’re not playing my system. More of an up tempo and they’re pushing the ball more because they’re a little bit smaller,” Cone said of the Asian Games Gilas after his own five beat Iran on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
This smaller unit will be bannered by Justin Arana, Justin Baltazar, and RJ Abarrientos, who each have gotten at least a call‑up to the squad tasked to qualify the Philippines for next year’s World Cup. Arana, though, was a DNP in the game against Iran.
Gilas Flies to South Korea for Tuneups
As of this writing, preparations for the Asian Games are ramping up fully as a contingent of PBA players left for South Korea today, September 2. Joining Arana, Baltazar, and Abarrientos are Robert Bolick, Adrian Nocum, Don Trollano, Brandon Bates, Brandon Ganuelas‑Rosser, Sedrick Barefield, Jerrick Ahanmisi, and Zavier Lucero.
Of these players, only Abarrientos, Baltazar, Bolick, and Ganuelas‑Rosser have actually played a game for Gilas in 5×5. Ganuelas‑Rosser, in particular, won gold with Gilas in the 2023 SEA Games, while Bolick recently won one in the 2025 SEA Games. Arana suited up against Iran but was, as mentioned, a DNP. Ahanmisi, meanwhile, has played for the Philippines in 3×3, as did Ganuelas‑Rosser.
Still Waiting on Justin Brownlee
One thing to keep an eye on with this Asiad‑bound Gilas squad is the availability of Justin Brownlee. As of now, there’s no definitive word yet if the 38‑year‑old reinforcement will be back for the Philippines’ title defense after missing the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
But just in case, the Gilas coaching staff will be saving a spot for Brownlee up to the very last minute should he decide to join the team.
Gilas will be playing two tuneup games with the South Korean national team in the days ahead. Their title defense officially starts on September 11 against Bahrain, followed by Kazakhstan on September 12, and then China on September 14. The Philippines, Kazakhstan, China, and Bahrain make up Group C. The other teams are Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia in Group A, while Iran, Jordan, Chinese Taipei, and Qatar comprise Group B.
