Gilas starters get early rest vs Qatar as Nationals brace for Iran duel
At A Glance
- When Gilas Pilipinas built a lead that was seemingly far out of reach, head coach Tim Cone immediately turned his focus on trying to prepare his team for the next game – against a tougher Iran team in the knockout quarterfinals of the men's basketball competitions in the 19th Asian Games.
When Gilas Pilipinas built a lead that was seemingly far out of reach, head coach Tim Cone immediately turned his focus on trying to prepare his team for the next game – against a tougher Iran team in the knockout quarterfinals of the men’s basketball competitions in the 19th Asian Games.

The Nationals built an early 29-8 lead and never looked back from there – an opportunity for the multi-titled coach to rest his weary players and get the seldom-used accustomed to the system he was trying to employ.
“We had a script on how we wanted to win this basketball game tonight. We followed that script very well. We want to get off quick and get a lead so we can get Justin (Brownlee) out of the game and have him ready for the game against Iran,” shared Cone whose team is facing a difficult task of taking down a well-rested Iran team less than 24 hours after it dispatched Qatar, 80-41, in a do-or-die match.
Brownlee, whom Cone revealed was still nursing some injuries, played only a little over eight minutes while other starters June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson also got the much needed breather for the entire second half.
“That was one of our main goals and we're able to do that. We got rest for Scottie and June Mar and some of the guys that are playing heavier minutes,” added Cone.
Knowing full well how difficult the challenge that is in front of them in the quarterfinal, the veteran mentor made sure to use all of the advantage it can get to have his players ready for the crucial tiff.
Gilas relished the chance to have their late addition get some minutes and gain their confidence around Cone’s system while also testing some of the team’s offensive adjustments in the blowout win.
“The whole game allowed us to work. It was almost a practice for us and the big lead in the beginning gave us the opportunity to practice for Iran, basically after the first quarter it turned into a practice,” shared Cone.
“We got Iran next, hopefully we can get that one and barge into the final four and let's see what happens. Again, one game at a time. We got Iran coming up so short turnaround.”