TIM Cone has warned Gilas Pilipinas against playing complacent basketball when the national squad hosts the visiting Taiwan side in the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers on Sunday, February 25, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Both squads are coming off contrasting performances to kick off the regional qualifiers.

The Philippines bucked a slow start by riding on a scintillating second-half offensive to whip Hong Kong, 94-64, last Thursday.

On the other hand, the Taiwanese fought valiantly before eventually surrendering an 89-69 decision against the visiting New Zealand Tall Blacks in Taipei.

Though the Filipinos seemed to be the favored team heading to their 7:30 p.m. match, Cone wanted his wards to approach the game with razor-sharp focus and try to slow down the running-and-gunning Taiwanese.

"They (Taiwanese) play with a lot of speed and pace, so we'll have to figure out ways to slow them so we can use our height advantage," Cone said.

Veteran gunner Cheng Liu, who has been with Taiwan's senior squad since 2014, will be leading the visitors against the Philippines.

Liu has the experience, the confidence and the leadership, which Taiwan hopes to ride on as the foreign squad clashes with Cone's tall unit that will again have youthful bigs Kai Sotto, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo, along with veteran national campaigner Japeth Aguilar leading the way.

Sotto, the 7-foot-3 young giant, will try to replicate his 13-point, 15-rebound effort against Hong Kong against Taiwan, while naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson are expected to create damage with their offense and playmaking, resapectively.

Cone said while people may think Gilas is the heavy favorite, the American coach strongly believes the Philippines will be facing a "strong foe."

"I've been hearing around we're such heavy favorites against Taiwan but watching their video, wow! This team is really strong. They got good size, they shoot really well," observed the 66-year-old Cone.

The biggest factor though will be Taiwan's chemistry.

"They've been together for a long time. They played in the Jones Cup against Rain or Shine. They played in the Asian Games, and they finished fourth, losing to China in the knockout game," he added.

Cone invites Filipino fans to pack the PhilSports Arena and create a strong atmosphere that could energize Gilas against Taiwan.

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