Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone couldn’t help but marvel at the luxury of having a player of Chris Newsome’s quality coming off the bench.

Newsome has proved to be a pivotal part of the national team even as he was reduced from being a starter during the Olympic Qualifying Tournament to surrendering that spot to the returning Scottie Thompson.

“There’s a luxury having a guy like that coming off the bench. We saw how good he was in the OQT as a starter and then Scottie took over for him but he took that reign (coming off the bench),” said Cone.

While Newsome played as part of the second unit during Gilas’ historic 93-89 win over New Zealand, the Philippine Cup Finals MVP provided value across the board, having to facilitate the offense and to defend when he shadowed the hot-shooting Corey Webster of the Tall Blacks.

“We talked about it. He and I said we didn't know much about this team coming in because they hadn't played together but it was his job to sit on the bench for the first few minutes checking out these guys and figure out how you are gonna play them,” said Cone.

“He came out and played these guys really well. I thought he was the one that really got us going defensively and got us back into the game after a slow start,” he said of Newsome.

Newsome finished with 11 points as he formed a formidable backcourt rotation with Scottie Thompson, who had 12 points and six assists, and Dwight Ramos who also tallied with 11.

Newsome also came out clutch for Gilas during that contest, another luxury that Cone enjoys as part of the closing unit.

“We had a design for Kai to cut off to Justin, see if we can get him inside and if Justin is going to retreat to the three-point line and get a shot but that didn't happen,” Cone recalling the crucial play.

“Dwight set a screen for New and New came off the screen so then there was only six seconds left and they kinda backed off of New had to take that shot and lo and behold he made it,” said Cone.

“It wasn’t great coaching, he was just a great player,” he added.