The recent losses of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers have ignited a wave of criticism from analysts and fans, with many calling for an expansion of the national team pool. While expanding the pool is a logical suggestion, the hysteria surrounding the team’s current direction is unnecessary and, frankly, over the top.
Under coach Tim Cone, Gilas Pilipinas captured gold at the Asian Games for the first time in decades. That should be enough proof that this program, despite its compact structure, can succeed on the international stage. However, after suffering losses to Chinese Taipei and New Zealand, the clamor for drastic changes has grown louder, as if the entire program is now doomed to fail.
Critics argue that adding more players will give the team flexibility, but Cone has rightly pointed out that it’s not as simple as just calling more players into the fold. Budget constraints, travel logistics, and additional practice time all play a role in maintaining a lean yet efficient roster. Expanding the pool doesn’t automatically translate to better results, especially when chemistry and continuity are the foundation of Cone’s approach.
There’s also an overreaction to these recent setbacks. In sports, losing is part of the process, and every team, no matter how talented, will go through rough patches. As Cone himself emphasized, “You don’t learn from success; you learn from failure.” This is a long-term project, and one poor window of games shouldn’t overshadow the progress this team has made.
It’s disappointing to see some analysts and fans act as if Gilas is headed for disaster just because of a couple of losses. This same team brought the country pride just months ago, and now, it’s suddenly being questioned at every turn. Of course, constructive criticism is always welcome, but the outright dismissal of Cone’s system feels like an emotional overreaction rather than a reasoned assessment of the situation.
Tim Cone has proven himself time and again, both in the PBA and on the international stage. If there’s anyone who deserves trust in handling Gilas Pilipinas, it’s him. The program will continue to evolve, and adjustments will be made when necessary. But panicking after every defeat and demanding sweeping changes isn’t the solution.
Gilas Pilipinas remains in good hands. It’s time for fans to show patience and faith in the process instead of resorting to knee-jerk reactions.
Comments
Post a Comment