If the Gilas Pilipinas head-coaching job is still vacant, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas need not look any further.
Australian national team coach Brian Goorjian is available.
In a chat with SPIN.ph, Goorjian bared that his contract with the Australian federation will end right after the Boomers' campaign at the coming Paris Olympics.
Asked if he can be available for the Gilas job, Goorjian’s face suddenly lit up.
“I am very open to it (Gilas job),” said the 70-year old former Melbourne Tigers star.
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“I am finished in Australia after the Olympics. I am done. I love the Philippines, that’s why I am here,” he said, pointing to the bench of the Strong group Athletics where he is currently a consultant to head coach Charles Tiu.
The coach, who was first introduced to Filipino basketball fans when the Bay Area Dragons played in the PBA last year, also shared that the people's passion for basketball was what made him love the country more.
“I love the passion (of basketball here in the Philippines). I didn’t have a better year in the history of my coaching career than I did in my one year of coaching in the PBA and I absolutely loved it,” said Goorjian, who also had stints in China with the Guangdong Southern Tigers and Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the CBA.
“Like I said, I am open to anything when (my contract at Australia) finishes,” he stressed with a smile.
Goorjian also stressed that anyone who is into basketball would instantly fall in love with the Filipinos’ passion for the sport.
“Why do I love it? I think the support by the Filipino people, that they love basketball so much. I’ve come from countries where I have been around the world where basketball is a second- or third-tier sport. Here, basketball is number one,” he said.
“The final (of Ginebra-Bay Area) had 55,00 people. I’ve coached my whole life, I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said recalling record-breaking Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 7 attendance that happened at the Philippine Arena on January 15, 2023, which the Dragons lost to Ginebra.
Goorjian bared that as soon as he received an invitation from Tiu to help out in the team, he immediately flew back to Manila.
“When Filipinos play, when the young kids play, they’re passionate and they love the game. I want them to be successful. Hopefully, I can do more,” he said.
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Aside from the possibility of coaching Gilas, Goorjian said he is also open to a coaching opportunity with a PBA team.
“I am all for the PBA and I am all for the national team. I am very open to it, like I said,” he said.
Asked if he is aware that the Gilas coaching job is currently vacant as there is no word on the position which Tim Cone last held when he won a gold in the Asian Games, he said, “No, I am not aware of that. I haven’t been following that. All I know is they did very well in Asian Games.
"Tim Cone, I coached against him in the PBA. He is a tremendous coach. And he did a tremendous job with the national team. I just want this team to be good. Am I open? Yes sir I am,” he concluded.
The only problem is: the Paris Olympics will take place from July 26- August 11.
Can the Gilas wait?
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