CONE ADMITS HINTON BROTHERS HUGE BOOST TO TAIWAN

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas has gone 2-0 in its friendly matches against Macau Black Bears and Jordan in recent days.

But Cone knows the real games that matter start on Wednesday (2 a.m. Manila time) when the Philippines begins its quest for the gold in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 against rising Asian basketball contender Taiwan at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The PBA’s all-time winningest coach is well aware of what the Taiwanese can do, considering that just last February, the East Asian basketball squad humiliated the Filipinos, 91-84 in Taipei City in the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.

The 67-year-old Cone said their scouting reports reveal Taiwan is a team on the way up in Asia, especially with the addition of the Hinton brothers Adam and Robert.

“Taipei beat us the last time we played them. They had two young (NCAA) Division 1 players in the Hinton brothers and those guys are making an impact on that team,” noted Cone.

In Taiwan’s win against Gilas last February, which marked its first since the 2013 edition in Manila, the Hinton brothers were not in the team roster yet.  But with their addition, Taiwan got the needed shot in the arm as Robert and Adam will bring in athleticism, outside shooting and a whole lot more.

The 22-year-old Adam plays for Cornell University, averaging 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, while making 37 percent from three-point zone in his third season in college.

On the other hand, the 19-year-old Robert is coming off an impressive freshman season, after being named Ivy League Rookie of the Year with Harvard University.  The 6-foot-5 Robert averaged 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, while shooting over 35 percent from three-point country this past college season.

The Hinton brothers played for the Taiwan Blue during the recent William Jones Cup, getting off to a hot start before cooling off eventually, and falling short against Strong Group, 67-56.

Mentored by Charles Tiu, Strong Group went on to sweep the tournament to register a historic back-to-back Jones Cup crown.

“They (Taiwanese) played six or seven games and they actually dominated the Jones Cup. They lost to Strong. And that’s the only game Taiwan lost,” shared Cone, who said they have followed the games closely.

But other than the Hinton brothers, Gilas also has its game plan prepared against naturalized player Brandon Gilbeck, who averaged 11.2 points and 11.8 rebounds in the Qualifiers, along with Mohammad Al Bachir and Lin Ting-Chien.

Cone said the Taiwanese’ win last February is no fluke, a reason why they have been seriously preparing the past days.

“They definitely have the personnel. It wasn’t a fluke that they beat us. So we really have to be prepared for them,” said Cone “The old saying is that we'll take it one game at a time at this point and that's true. And the reason you say that it’s because it’s always true,” the Gilas coach added. “Right now what's on our minds is Taiwan. You have to get through them.”   

2025-08-05T02:59:45Z