Romwel Anzures

Gilas Pilipinas guards Juan Gomez de Liaño (left) and RJ Abarrientos (right) in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Photos from FIBA.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783344263209IMG_1366.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Gilas Pilipinas guards Juan Gomez de Liaño (left) and RJ Abarrientos (right) in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Photos from FIBA.MANILA — As Gilas Pilipinas committed far too many turnovers, head coach Tim Cone did not sugarcoat what led to the Nationals&#x27; woeful 43-point beatdown at the hands of Australia.</div>“Our point guards struggled tonight. They struggled under pressure,” said Cone after Gilas absorbed a 49-92 loss to close the third window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers with four straight defeats in six Group A games.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/7/6/turnover-plagued-gilas-absorbs-43-point-beatdown-from-australia-2034">READ: Turnover-plagued Gilas absorbs 43-point beatdown from Australia</a></div>The Philippines committed 19 turnovers, which the Boomers converted into 30 points, while also scoring 20 fastbreak points.For Cone, those struggles were a byproduct of going up against elite talents such as six-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor.“Having to guard those kinds of guys was a revelation for them,” said Cone, as Cotton finished with 21 points on five three-pointers, while Proctor added 16.Further complicating matters for Gilas, Cone said, was the athletic advantage the Boomers naturally possessed.“They really were just superior athletes,” said the Barangay Ginebra mentor. “We couldn’t get into our offense, and we just had trouble getting the ball past half-court.”“Their transition game, their ability to hit three-point shots, just snowballed on us,” he added.Despite Gilas already securing a spot in the second round, Cone challenged his team to respond and take greater pride in its defense if it hopes to improve its chances of returning to the World Cup.“If we move on, we’re going to see players like Bryce and Proctor,” he said. “We only competed in stretches, and that’s not good enough against a high-quality team like this.”Gilas returns to action in late August when it hosts Jordan and Iran in the second round of the qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

As Gilas Pilipinas committed far too many turnovers, head coach Tim Cone did not sugarcoat what led to the Nationals' woeful 43-point beatdown at the hands of Australia.

As Gilas Pilipinas committed far too many turnovers, head coach Tim Cone did not sugarcoat what led to the Nationals' woeful 43-point beatdown at the hands of Australia.

FIBA: Cone says Gilas guards ‘struggled under pressure’ in woeful loss to Aussies

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FIBA: Cone says Gilas guards ‘struggled under pressure’ in woeful loss to Aussies

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 06, 2026 09:38 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

FIBA

2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas

Tim Cone

FIBA Basketball

Gilas

Australia

RJ Abarrientos

Juan Gomez de Liaño

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