ASIDE from calling the shots, coach Norman Black will also choose the players for Gilas Pilipinas in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in December in Thailand.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy said the multi-titled and grand slam tactician has been given a free hand to choose his team’s composition in the Dec. 9 to 20 biennial meet, where the Filipino dribblers will try to defend the crown they regained in Cambodia two years back.
“It has already been announced. So, it’s really coach Norman who’s going to coach our team,” Dy said. “In terms of the composition, we’re still allowing him to talk to different players to come up with his roster.
“Preference ni coach Norman iyon kung sino ang players na daldalhin niya,” she added.
Gilas strategist Tim Cone earlier begged off from steering the national team—at least in the regional cage extravaganza.
“It was really supposed to be coach Tim because we were trying to do that long-term program. But maybe I think that was around May or June when it was decided that coach Tim would not coach the SEA Games team anymore.
“So, that is when we started talking to him (Black).”
Cone and Gilas will also be busy in the first round of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers in November and December.
Dy said having collegiate and overseas-based standouts for the Thai Games does not mean it is a “Team B” of Gilas.
“Not really. The program remains the same. The SEA Games is a little bit tricky because it’s not part of the FIBA calendar,” Dy said. “So, it’s really a different tournament.”
And will Black, a legendary import in the PBA, be the permanent coach for Gilas at the SEA Games?
The SBP will cross the bridge when it gets there.
“Alam ninyo naman iyong SEA Games. Depende sa host kung anong sport na nandiyan. We don’t even know,” Dy said. “Baka sa Singapore, which doesn’t really have a 5-on-5 basketball team, might not even host a basketball tournament in 2027. So, we’ll take it one step at a time.”
