Gilas Pilipinas’ Schedule Could Be Tougher Than the Games

Preparation has always been a challenge for Gilas Pilipinas for as long as I can remember, and it remains an issue even today. However, thanks to Coach Tim Cone, this problem has been overshadowed by the team's success. Under his leadership, we won the 2023 Asian Games Gold Medal, a feat we hadn't achieved since 1962. Tim Cone also led us to a historic 93-89 victory over New Zealand in November 2024, marking the first time we ever defeated the Kiwis. And because of him, the detractors of Gilas Pilipinas have significantly lessened in recent years—though they’re still lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike again.

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Schedules Tougher Than the Games

No Valentine’s Day dates for Gilas players? February is an extremely hectic month for the team, packed with crucial basketball commitments.

📅 February 14-16 – 2nd Doha International Cup, Doha, Qatar
📅 February 20 – FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers vs. Team Taiwan, Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, Taiwan
📅 February 23 – FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers vs. New Zealand Tall Blacks, Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand

Wow, a real "around-the-world" trip! Sounds exciting, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t a vacation. While it may seem like a privilege, it's also exhausting and could turn into a logistical nightmare. The games are scheduled too close together—it’s not as simple as taking a 30-minute drive to the next venue.

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The Grueling Travel Schedule

According to Tim Cone, in a recent interview posted by ABS-CBN Sports on YouTube, the team will be traveling from Manila to Doha for the tournament, then flying back to Manila, then heading to Taiwan, then Hong Kong, and finally to Auckland, New Zealand—all within just 8 to 9 days.

"Fun times," I say with a sarcastic smile as I write this. Frequent travelers must be grimacing at this schedule. Imagine the long flights, time zone differences, fatigue, irregular sleeping patterns, and, let’s not forget, the risk of lost luggage. This isn't ideal for anyone—but it’s a struggle that Gilas must endure.

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The Gilas Sacrifice

Fans sometimes complain about early morning games in the Philippines, especially for the matches in the Middle East. Some even bash players for having an off night, not realizing the brutal schedule they go through.

Of course, we all want Gilas Pilipinas to be at 100% every game, but looking at their travel schedule, it’s hard to expect every player to be fully optimized. This is the reality not just for Gilas, but for every international basketball team.

So, next time you post on social media complaining that a player looks tired, sluggish, or isn’t shooting well, just remember—he probably really is.