MANILA, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Tim Cone will coach the Philippines men's national basketball team that will see action in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, a top official of the country's basketball governing body announced on Monday.
"I'm very happy to announce that coach Tim has officially accepted the role as head coach for the Philippines men's national basketball team in the upcoming SEA Games," said Al Panlilio, the president of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
"I spoke to Tim Cone last Saturday and he expressed interested but wanted to finish his game and talk to his family first," said Panlilio.
Cone formally gave his affirmative answer on Sunday after a talk with his family, Panlilio said, adding that he respected Cone's decision to talk to his family first as he knows the sacrifices his family will have to make because of the massive responsibility.
With Yeng Guiao resigning from his post after a winless campaign in 2019 FIBA World Cup, Cone, the American mentor in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) history with over 20 titles, was chosen to coach the national team in the biennial multi-sport meeting that kicks off on November 30 in the Philippines.
Cone, 61, is back in the Philippines national team after 29 years from a previous tenure when he steered the squad to a bronze-medal finish in the Asian Games in 1998 in Bangkok, Thailand.
However, Panlilio clarified that the SBP is taking a one-step-at-a-time approach and will decide whether Cone will still be at the helm of the national team after the SEA Games.
"The resolution of our head coach situation should signify the start of our SEA Games preparations because the other countries like Indonesia are already putting in the work," Panlilio said.
