The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas explained Coach Norman Black’s role for Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) spoke about Norman Black’s role to coach the Gilas Pilipinas men’s team in the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Thailand later this year, replacing Tim Cone in the interim for the biennial tournament.
Having been announced earlier this month, Black will reportedly have full reign in terms of who he wants to be in the team.
[READ: Norman Black to coach Gilas Pilipinas in 2025 SEA Games]
“It’s really Coach Norman who’s going to coach our team. In terms of the composition, we’re still allowing him to talk to different players to come up with his roster,” said SBP Executive Director Erika Dy at the sidelines of the media launch of the Pilipinas United 3x3 League in Ayala Malls Manila Bay on Monday.
According to Dy, the Philippine Sports Commission will find out soon what eligibility rules will apply for the SEA Games, with the organizing committee set to meet on August 27.
As for whether Gilas will tap PBA players or collegiate players to represent the flag, it will all depend on Black.
“Preference ni Coach Norman yun, kung sinong players ang dadalin niya,” said Dy.
The SBP also cleared the air on why Black was tapped as tactician for the SEA Games.
It was current head coach Tim Cone himself who said he wasn’t going to call the shots in the biennial tournament and SBP made a beeline for Black as a replacement.
“Well, it’s really supposed to be Coach Tim no, kasi we were trying that long term program. But, maybe I think that was around May or June when it was decided that Coach Tim will not coach in the SEA Games anymore. That is when we started to talk to Coach Norman,” said Dy.
The SBP also fell short of saying that Black’s appointment will be something to be explored in the long term, as they are still looking at other circumstances that will unfurl after the SEA Games.
“The program remains the same. The SEA Games is a little bit tricky because it is not part of the FIBA calendar. So it’s really a different tournament,” she said.
“We’ll see. Kasi alam niyo naman 'yung SEA Games, depende sa host kung ano sport nila andiyan. We don’t even know, baka sa Singapore, who 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,” she added.
Before the SEA Games, Gilas is expected to see action in late November for the first window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.