Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone is set to make his return to the national team as an assistant coach to Gilas Pilipinas head tactician Chot Reyes for the August window.
Cone was named as part of the Gilas coaching staff for the World Cup but Reyes bared on Wednesday, Aug. 3 that he is expected to sit down with the multi-titled coach along with the other members of the staff to pick the players to be included for the pool in the fourth window.
“We have one more meeting with the coaches on Saturday with the Gilas coaching staff including coach Tim Cone already. We had several discussions already with Tim but this is the first time that he will actually sit down with the rest of the coaching staff to brainstorm and put that final pool together,” shared Reyes.
Cone last took part with the national team when he steered Gilas to a gold medal finish during the 2019 SEA Games which the country hosted.
Aside from Cone, Ginebra players are also expected to become part of the pool. Reyes had already expressed his interest in tapping Japeth Aguilar and reigning PBA MVP Scottie Thompson for the national team.
Moreover, Reyes also revealed plans on possibly tapping another European coach to be part of the coaching staff for the World Cup next year.
“I have a list of two, three other European coaches that we've constantly been talking to and interviewing,” said Reyes.
“Pero syempre di rin ganun kasimple kasi meron rin silang kanilang mga schedule, mga ginagawa and then mahirap naman yun na pumunta sila dito tapos wala namang ensayo, it’s not easy as you would think,” he added.
“We continue to look at ways to strengthen the team, not only the players but also the coaching staff.”