FILE–Alfrancis Chua during a press conference at the PBA Office in Quezon City. Gilas coach Tim Cone is hoping the SMC executive could join the national team program. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas’ preparations for the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers is in full gear but coach Tim Cone hopes a certain someone can join the program in future games.

In a press conference on Wednesday in Mandaluyong, Cone revealed that he would love to have the presence of San Miguel sports director Alfrancis Chua on the Gilas bench for the upcoming qualifiers or even in future tournaments for the Philippines.

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“Al is Al,” said a beaming Cone when asked why he’d want to have Chua on board.

READ: Gilas officially starts training camp for Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers

“He’s a special motivator, whether from a management point of view or by sitting on the bench added to the coaching. He’s just a tremendous motivator. I feel comfortable around him because I know he has my back all the time.”

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Chua being on Gilas’ bench, if ever, won’t be a new thing for the national team.

After all, he was present during Gilas’ gold-medal run in the 2023 Asian Games where the Philippines won a historic gold medal at the expense of Jordan.

And in that run, Cone said Chua had an impact that pushed the Philippines to the historic win. He hopes that same impact could show up soon for the second window of the qualifiers.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas banking on home crowd support in Fiba qualifiers

“He’s one of the huge reasons why we won that gold so I’m hoping that he’s gonna be on the bench come 21st,” Cone said.

“His impact in the Asian Games where we won gold—I said in the past—was much more responsible in winning that gold than anybody else, including myself including Justin (Brownlee).”

Fortunately for Cone, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio seemed to be on board with Chua’s inclusion on the bench.

“I’m still talking to Alfrancis, he’s been helping in the background but I want to sort of formalize him to be part of the program,” said Panlilio. “Hopefully, we can replicate what happened in the Asian Games when he was here. I’ll be thanking RSA (Ramon S. Ang) if ever that happens so we’re just talking to him (Chua) and hopefully, we can make him a big part of this.”