Cone, Gilas vow to 'put up a fight' despite player availability issues

MANILA, Philippines -- Gilas Pilipinas is facing an uphill battle ahead of the second round of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. 

Gilas, currently holding a 2-4 win-loss record heading to the second round of the qualifiers, will have a razor-thin margin of error moving forward, head coach Tim Cone said. 

Aside from the overwhelming odds, the national team is also battling roster issues for the upcoming window, Cone admitted. 

“Yeah, the margin of error has really dissipated for us,” the coach stressed during an interview Friday. 

“Like I've been saying over the last few weeks, this is all hands-on-deck kinda thing. We're trying to get everybody to show up. But for one reason or another [Quentin Millora-Brown], is doubtful with his back surgery. Mike Phillips has his brother's wedding, so he's begging off. June Mar [Fajardo] wanted to retire, but we pulled him back in for the window,” he added. 

There is likewise “no word,” for now, from the camp of 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto, who, according to Cone, is still working on making it to the US NCAA. 

“We certainly have our issues. It's really on me to make sure we get all the best players. We haven't been able to do that. I've been failing in my job because I just haven't been able to get all the best players,” Cone said. 

“But we still got Dwight [Ramos], Carl [Tamayo], Kevin Quiambao and Justin [Brownlee]. We're going to put up a fight here. AJ Edu is still playing. We'd like a little bit more size, but it is what it is,” he added. 

FIBA said that only the top three teams in Group E and F, as well as the best fourth-placed team, will qualify for the World Cup. 

Currently, Gilas is fifth in the standings in Group E behind Australia (6-0) Iran (5-1), Jordan (5-1) and New Zealand (4-2). 

The Philippines is aiming to make its fourth straight World Cup appearance. 

Gilas will take on Jordan on August 28 before facing Iran on August 30. Both games will be played at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.