Things are only expected to get better for Gilas Pilipinas in Year 2025.
The new Gilas Pilipinas era under head coach Tim Cone officially started with his appointment in January this year.
This development came months after Cone led the hastily-assembled Gilas team to an Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou, China.
It preceded an unforgettable 2024 for the national team littered with historic wins and promise.
[RELATED STORY: GOAT x Gilas: Tim Cone officially the new head coach for Philippine national team]
Check out some of the biggest headlines for Gilas this year:
Kai Sotto emerges as dominant Asian big
In a previous interview, Cone said Kai Sotto has potential to become the best big man in Asia.
[ALSO READ: Tim Cone pays Kai Sotto ultimate compliment: ‘He is going to dominate Asia’]
Sotto started showing glimpse of that in Gilas’ sweep of the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
In the 106-53 win over Chinese Taipei at home, Sotto put up 19 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in a game that also saw Gilas dish out 30 assists as a team.
Bennie Boatwright naturalization
Make no mistake about it. Justin Brownlee is one of the best, if not the best, naturalized player the Gilas program has seen.
Brownlee is a team player that does not demand the rock every possession, except maybe when the team needs some big shot towards the end of the game.
But Brownlee is already 36 years old and injuries can happen, that is why the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas decided to tap San Miguel import Bennie Boatwright as back up naturalized player.
In a previous interview, the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup champion said applying to become a Filipino citizen in order to represent the country in future tournaments was an easy decision.
[ALSO READ: Gilas: Bennie Boatwright says decision to undergo naturalization process for Gilas a ‘no brainer’]
The naturalization process is ongoing.
Olympic Qualifying tournament shocker
Gilas entered the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga with little to no expectation from fans. After all, Cone’s pool is still trying to get the hang of playing with the vaunted triangle offense that made the legendary coach, well, a legend in Philippine basketball.
But that’s not the case for Cone, whose faith in each member of the squad paid off in the OQT.
[ALSO READ: FIBA OQT: Takeaways from Gilas Pilipinas upset of Latvia by the numbers]
Gilas pulled off an upset of home team Latvia, 89-80.
It was the first time the national team beat a squad from Europe since Philippines beat Spain, 84-82 in the 1960 Olympics.
Gilas made things tough for Georgia, before falling prey to Brazil in the semifinals.
New Zealand curse broken
By this time, everyone is convinced anything is possible for Gilas, including beating tormentor New Zealand.
Lo and behold, Gilas scored its first win over New Zealand — a 93-89 decision in the second window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Before that match, Gilas had yet to win a FIBA-sanctioned game against the Tall Blacks after four tries.
[RELATED STORY: 5th time's the charm? Revisiting the FIBA encounters of Gilas Pilipinas and New Zealand]
Alfrancis Chua, LA Tenorio official appointment
Everyone knows everything SMC sports director and Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua touches turns into gold.
[ALSO READ: Alfrancis Chua happy to serve PH with new Gilas role]
That’s why not a few were ecstatic to hear the news of Chua being officially appointed as Gilas’ program director and team manager for the Youth and Men’s team in November.
Chua was also co-team manager of the Gilas team that won the gold in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Changes did not stop there.
Ginebra playing assistant coach LA Tenorio was also made Gilas Youth head coach. He replaced Josh Reyes, who led the young team to two World Cup appearances.
[ALSO READ: Incoming head coach LA Tenorio excited to call the shots for Gilas Youth]
The road to Paris 2024 is closed but there's still plenty to look forward for Gilas Pilipinas in 2025.
There's the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, where the already Saudi-bound Gilas battles for seeding in the main tournament slated for August.
Don't forget the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand next December. And of course, the FIBA World Cup qualification cycle starts all over again by the final quarter of 2025 in a bid to reach the biggest basketball tournament in 2027.
Who knows how far this Gilas team will go?