Tim Cone on Gilas Pilipinas loss to New Zealand: ‘No pride in almost winning’

Gilas Pilipinas trailed by 11 points at the end of the third quarter but clawed its way back to within 68–66 with eight seconds left in the fourth period.

They were on the verge of stealing the win — until they didn’t.

Reuben Te Rangi split his free throws after drawing a foul from Calvin Oftana to push the lead to three.

Dwight Ramos then attempted a potential game-tying triple but missed, sealing the victory for the New Zealand Tall Blacks in their FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers matchup.

It was nearly a victory, but that offered little comfort to Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone.

“I’m not going to sit here and pretend like I’m happy about our performance,” Cone said after the 69-66 loss.

“The bottom line is we’re not going to feel good or take pride in the fact that we got close, or we almost won, or whatever. Bottom line, we’re here to win, we didn’t do that.”

“We’re not gonna take pride in almost winning. We’re here to win and we didn’t do that.”

Coach Tim Cone on the Gilas Pilipinas loss vs New Zealand @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/WFoKaubFJl

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) February 26, 2026

CJ Perez and Ramos led the nationals with 16 and 15 points, respectively.

However, Justin Brownlee was limited to just four points — below his 21-point average in the previous window.

Cone noted there were still positives to build on, including Perez’s hot start and the efforts of big men AJ Edu and Quentin Millora-Brown against the Tall Blacks’ frontline.

For Perez, the focus now shifts to the next assignment.

“Kailangang mag-move on for next game. Kailangan mag-focus, kailangan mag-move forward para sa Australia,” Perez said.

“Nakakalungkot na hindi nanalo pero may chance kami bumawi.”

Gilas will take on Australia men's national basketball team on Sunday.

—GMA Integrated News