SBP to field a mix of PBA and collegiate players for Gilas at the 2025 SEA Games

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is reportedly considering fielding a combination of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) players to represent the Philippine men’s basketball national team in the upcoming 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.

The idea was proposed during the PBA Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday, July 30, due to the fact that the men’s basketball tournament at the 2025 SEA Games will take place from December 9 to 20, which coincides with the elimination round of the league’s 50th season Philippine Cup.

The PBA board has approved lending a “limited number” of league players to be part of the Gilas Pilipinas team that will compete in Thailand.

Additionally, it is understood that Meralco Bolts coaching consultant Norman Black will be appointed head coach for the 2025 SEA Games, as regular national team head coach Tim Cone will be occupied with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the Philippine Cup.

“The SBP has approached me about handling the SEA Games national team, and I have informed them that I am willing to take on the challenge,” Black said, as quoted by Philippine publication Spin.ph.

GILAS PILIPINAS – 2025 FIBA ASIA CUP SCHEDULE
Group Phase | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Mga Kabarangay at Kababayan, mark your calendars and set those alarms —oras na para ipakita ang puso ng Pilipino sa international stage!

August 6 (Wednesday) – 2:00 AM (PH Time)… pic.twitter.com/fuBmoiAQDV

— Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (@brgyginebraphl) July 30, 2025

Notably, Black has prior experience coaching Gilas Pilipinas, having led the country to a gold medal at the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. The 67-year-old also coached the PBA-backed Philippine team in the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan, and served as assistant coach under PBA legend Robert Jaworski at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing, China.

SBP president Al Panlilio declined to comment on the development, saying the organization is currently focused on Gilas’ 2025 FIBA Asia Cup campaign.

“We will decide on this after the FIBA Asia Cup. Right now, our focus is on the FIBA Asia Cup,” Panlilio said.

Regarding the UAAP, the new season runs from September to early December, which ensures that its players will be available for the 2025 SEA Games. However, Gilas players who play in overseas leagues—including Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, and Rhenz Abando—are unlikely to be released by their respective clubs, as the SEA Games is not a FIBA-sanctioned tournament.

One player who will be available is Gilas superstar Justin Brownlee, who is not expected to participate in the All-Filipino Conference and may opt to lead the team in Thailand.

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