Just over a week ago, head coach Tim Cone was asked to give a message of support for his Gilas Pilipinas players.
His message was simple: Just believe.
The world number 34 Philippines was going to face the 22nd-ranked New Zealand. In eight years and four outings, Gilas Pilipinas had never beaten the Tall Blacks.
Cone knew this.
"I just really feel New Zealand has handled us over the last few years. They've beaten us pretty badly when we've played them," Cone told One Sports.
From the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), to the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, to the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, Corey Webster, Tom Vodanovich, Sam Mennenga, and Flynn Cameron have handed the Philippines losses ranging from nine up to 46 points.
[ALSO READ: 5th time's the charm? Revisiting the FIBA encounters of Gilas Pilipinas and New Zealand]
So Cone wasn't kidding when he said New Zealand beaten the Philippines badly. And it's understandable to be intimidated at the thought of facing this Oceania squad yet again.
But the winningest coach in the PBA wants to believe.
"I really, really feel there's a sense that we can beat them this time around," Cone said. "And I think there's a certain confidence on the players that they have, and it's deserving."
"And so for the Gilas players, just believe."
"I think that if we come in with the idea that, just believe that we can do it, I think we will do it," he said. "That'll be on all of us."
"He's doing it all"
Cone wanted players to believe. And he started by believing in them.
Cone had faith in Kai Sotto. He never really wavered in that trust even if some fans questioned Kaiju's development.
"Right now, if I may say, he is going to absolutely dominate Asia. I’ve always felt that," Cone said of Sotto back in February, after the 7-foot-3 big man led the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in double-doubles.
Kai responded by sparking Gilas Pilipinas' energy with back-to-back baskets against New Zealand.
First was a dish from Chris Newsome. The second was a lob from Justin Brownlee, with Sotto sending Hyrum Harris flying with a spin fake for the slam.
After New Zealand's 8-0 run, it was suddenly just a one-point ball game. You gotta see it.
@onesportsphl JB WITH THE DISH, KAIJU WITH THE FINISH 🔥 Justin Brownlee lobs a perfect long pass, and Kai Sotto slams it home on the fastbreak for Gilas Pilipinas against New Zealand in their second-window clash at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers! #GilasPilipinas #PUSO #OneSports #AsiaCup
? original sound - OneSportsPHL
In the second frame, it was Dwight Ramos' turn to make the no-look dish to his longtime Gilas teammate. Tom Vodanovich could do nothing but look up.
@onesportsphl ST. DWIGHT ?? KAIJU 🇵🇭 A slick no-look pass from Dwight Ramos sets up a strong dunk for Kai Sotto in Gilas Pilipinas’ second window game against New Zealand at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers! #GilasPilipinas #PUSO #OneSports #AsiaCup ? original sound - OneSportsPHL
Sure, Sotto recorded yet another double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. But Cone wanted everyone to know--Kaiju number 11 can do a lot more than dunking and spinning off opponents in the paint.
"Don't forget the seven assists Kai had tonight, amazing," Cone said in the post-game press conference. "He's doing it all."
Kai, on the other hand, kept things simple in his response: "We just wanted to protect home court."
"When I have a motivated Justin, watch out."
Cone also believed in Justin Brownlee, the tireless Justin Noypi who has been balling from the February window, to the Basketball Champions League Asia, to the FIBA OQT, and to the PBA just this year.
"Justin is motivated to bounce back," said Cone after the Season 49 Governors' Cup Finals loss to the TNT Tropang Giga.
"When I have a motivated Justin, watch out."
And the FIBA ACQ's leader in efficiency showed just that, making a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds, along with four assists, two steals, and two blocks in 38 minutes of action.
[ALSO READ: Justin Brownlee delivers as Gilas breaks New Zealand curse in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers]
"I'm just happy for the Philippines," said the American-born, naturalized Filipino, who also helped give the country its first Asian Games basketball gold medal in 61 years.
"He's a triple-double machine."
Cone also believed in Scottie Thompson--even if many questioned his capabilities after suffering a back injury.
The 6-foot-1 point guard outhustled the taller Tall Blacks and dived for loose balls to register 12 points, four rebounds, and six assists.
"I remember a time when there was a lot of talk that Scottie can't play the international game," Cone mused. "In my mind, there's never been any doubt. And in his mind, there's never been any doubt."
"You can look at video all you want until you actually get on the floor and play against him. You don't realize what he's doing out there on the floor for you," he emphasized.
"He's been that triple-double machine ever since he was at Perpetual [Help]."
That Newsome play
Cone also believed in Chris Newsome.
It was a remarkable moment.
With 1:12 remaining and Gilas' lead brought down to four, the Philippines called a timeout. But the voice heard in the blue team's huddle was not the raspy voice typically associated with Cone.
It was Josh Reyes--the much-criticized former Gilas Youth coach--who was making the play.
In that crucial moment, Cone gave the younger tactician his time to shine.
They had 6.1 seconds left in the shot clock.
Thompson had the ball. But who would he pass to?
Brownlee was covered by two Tall Blacks. Sotto ran down to face Thompson from the other side of the court, raising his hands and getting ready for the pass, but he was quickly covered by a switching opponent.
That left Newsome wide open, and all Thompson had to do was lob.
It was the dagger that gave Gilas Pilipinas the breathing room they needed to fend off any Tall Black fightback.
And Newsome, the fourth overall draft pick of the 2015 PBA Draft, just had to nod and mirror the chestbump from the fifth overall pick in Thompson.
It was a broken play actually, Cone shared, as it was originally designed for either Sotto or Brownlee.
"If that didn't happen, then Dwight sets a screen for New and New comes off the screen," Cone explained. "And there were six seconds left and they backed off New, so he had to take that shot."
"Lo and behold, he made it."
From being the final cut in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup roster, to being a crucial defensive player in the Asian Games and the OQT, to drilling the crucial three against New Zealand--the PBA Philippine Cup Finals MVP has come a long way.
Newsome was actually saddled with foul trouble but Cone assigned him an important task during the game.
“It was his job to sit on the bench for the first few minutes, check out theses guys and figure out how he will play him. He came out and played these guys really well,” said Cone of Newsome, who had 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
"When New was able to come back, despite the four fouls, he was able to defend without fouling," Cone said. And the seasoned mentor particularly loves guards who can be an asset on defense.
"That’s the luxury of having a guy like that coming off the bench. We saw how good he was in the OQT as a starter."
[ALSO READ: Tim Cone explains PBA Finals MVP Chris Newsome's role for Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA OQT, Asia Cup Qualifiers]
The Gilas Pilipinas program found its heart by breaking the curse of Korea, by ending the FIBA World Cup drought, and by actually winning a game at that level.
The Gilas Pilipinas found trust by proving their victory over Korea in 2013 was no fluke and nearly upset Serbia.
Now, Kai Sotto, Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, and the rest of Gilas Pilipinas (yes, even Josh Reyes) are proving their haters wrong.
They ended the 61-year drought for Asian Games basketball gold. They shocked then-world no. 6 Latvia, the first Philippine victory over a European team since 1960.
Now, they halted the 0-4 skid against New Zealand and their tormentors in Webster and Vodanovich. They are one win away from returning to the FIBA Asia Cup.
[ALSO READ: Wherever Tim Cone goes, success follows: Gilas Pilipinas milestones]
It was because Cone believed.
"They're coming in with their hearts, more than their pockets and they're here giving it their all," the coach said, noting how their national team salaries were only a fraction of what they were earning with their clubs.
Now, the dream of reaching the Olympics doesn't seem quite so far-fetched.
[ALSO READ: Paris? LA? Gilas Pilipinas' road to the Olympics begins in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, says Tim Cone]
"My hat is really off to the players and they are doing to get to this level. I think we should all be proud of them," he said.
More than a decade ago, Gilas Pilipinas found heart. Then, they found trust. Now, they have faith that they can do more.
They believe.
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad, Jan Ballesteros/One Sports)