The Reason Why Gilas Pilipinas is Joining the Doha Qatar Tournament?

Coach Tim Cone Gilas Pilipinas , Photo by FIBA

The Doha 2nd International Cup is just around the corner, but did you know that Gilas Pilipinas almost didn’t join the tournament? The Philippine national team is experiencing a resurgence, and fans are hopeful that this momentum will continue until the FIBA Asia Cup in August. While that event may seem far away, Coach Tim Cone has already acknowledged several challenges in the team’s preparations.

In a recent interview posted by ABS-CBN Sports on YouTube, Tim Cone revealed that Gilas initially did not plan to participate in the Qatar tournament. However, since the team has already qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup, they saw the tournament as a crucial opportunity for preparation and training.

Part of the Preparation

Tim Cone is not only a brilliant basketball mind but also an exceptional strategist, especially when it comes to planning and anticipating potential challenges. The Doha tournament, which will take place from February 14 to 16, 2025, is a welcome addition to Gilas’ schedule—not just for fans who want a glimpse of their heroes, but also as a key preparation phase.

Expect Tim Cone to experiment with different matchups and player combinations, especially with Kai Sotto unavailable. He now has AJ Edu and Troy Rosario in the mix, and these games will be a great way to test strategies ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, which is set for August 5 to 17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Winning is Important, But Learning is the Priority

Tim Cone made it clear that he wants to win and, ideally, he’d love to win all games. However, the Doha tournament is not just about winning—it’s also a learning opportunity. This is a chance to assess the team, make adjustments, and refine strategies.

For now, fans should see this tournament as a valuable learning experience—one that will hopefully pay off in August when Gilas competes in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.