SBP confirms Norman Black will have full freedom to build Gilas roster for 2025 SEA Games

Meralco Bolts coaching consultant Norman Black has been appointed head coach of Gilas Pilipinas for the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok, Thailand, as national team tactician Tim Cone will be tied up with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Philippine Cup campaign.

Reports surfaced earlier this month that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) was considering a mix of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) players to reinforce the national team in the regional meet.

During the media launch of the Pilipinas United 3×3 League at Ayala Malls Manila Bay on Monday, SBP executive director Erika Dy confirmed that Black has been given full authority to build the roster.

“It’s really coach Norman who is going to coach our team. In terms of the composition, we are still allowing him to talk to different players to come up with his roster. Preference ni coach Norman yun, kung sinong players ang dadalin niya,” Dy said.

Dy also explained that Cone, who had been steering Gilas in its long-term program, personally informed the federation he could not commit to the SEA Games. That decision paved the way for Black’s short-term appointment.

BLACK CALLS THE SHOTS 🇵🇭

SBP explains why Norman Black was tapped to take the reins for Gilas Pilipinas in the SEA Games and the possibilities for the roster.

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“It was really supposed to be coach Tim, kasi we were trying to implement a long-term program. But around May or June, it was decided that coach Tim would not coach in the SEA Games anymore. That’s when we started talking to coach Norman,” she said.

Dy pointed out that the SEA Games presents a unique challenge, as basketball is not always included in the host nation’s calendar.

“The SEA Games is a little bit tricky because it is not part of the FIBA calendar. So it’s really a different tournament. We will 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 will take it one step at a time,” she explained.

Before competing in the SEA Games, Gilas Pilipinas will first take part in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, set to begin in late November.

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