Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone during a game against New Zealand in the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. –FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas may not be opening their training to the public in preparation for the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup but fans may see the national team participate in an exhibition game instead.
Although there is nothing official yet, Gilas coach Tim Cone said there’s a possibility for the Philippines to play a tune-up game at home against another national team in front of a live crowd.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas to open Fiba Asia Cup campaign vs Chinese Taipei
“They [practices] won’t be open to the public and we’re probably going to Inspire (Laguna) but we’re going to bring a national team to play us before we leave and that will be in front of fans,” said Cone after Ginebra’s win vs. Blackwater on Friday night at Philsports Arena.
“We’re trying. I’m not saying we have it yet but we have some feelers and it’s really on the SBP to announce and do that all when they have it all set… Nothing’s written in stone yet.”
Two years ago, when Cone was the appointed took the coaching reins of Gilas, the Gin Kings mentor held an open practice before the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
READ: Gilas ‘can beat anybody’ when Kai Sotto returns, says Tim Cone
Cone then went on to steer the country to its first Asian Games gold medal since 1962.
The last time Gilas participated in a live tune-up was when it beat the Taiwan Mustangs back in June 2024 before the 2024 Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament that saw over 5,000 spectators.
That same idea is what Cone is trying to replicate before Gilas’ trip to Jeddah this August.
“The hope is we play one game here before we leave and one game in Jeddah before we start the tournament. That’s the hope. That’s what we’re looking for and trying to do.”