CHICAGO - With the same quiet efficiency that characterized his tenure as a basketball official, longtime Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Sonny Barrios left his post last week.
Replacing him seemed like an impossible task, but after leading our country's successful FIBA World Cup 2023 hosting, SBP president Al Panlilio pulled another adroit move and made a terrific hire.
Erika Dy.
READ SBP to name permanent Gilas coach, new pool of players 'very soon'
Though born to affluence and political royalty, she has a reputation of being just one of the gals, a lawyer who's paid her dues serving sports in multifarious capacities.
Two days ago, Dy told Snow Badua of SPIN.ph that "we are set to announce the new head coach of Gilas."
So who inherited the high-profile job that is as blessed as it is cursed, the same one which led its previous occupant - Chot Reyes - to exit after being cruelly, mostly unfairly, crucified on social media?
"Can't comment on the coaching choice until we announce officially," Dy told me via text message.
SHALLOW POOL
Curious, I asked how expansive the search was.
"Never had a finite list. Went by priority and didn't have to go deep," Dy, a willing straight-shooter, replied.
This is one of the rare cases when not going deep can result in drowning.
Look how shallow the pool of candidates was: Tab Baldwin, yes, the same guy who turned Ateneo into a championship mint, didn't even get a phone call.
Which makes me wonder, is ignored a synonym for blackballed?
A few years ago, SBP had the hots for Will Voigt, who is now the coach of the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League. Will wants to pitch his tent in the Philippines and bring his wealth of international experience to Gilas.
The 47-year old former national head coach of Angola hasn't gotten a call yet, either.
And that's a huge L for Gilas. Voigt's pedigree would open doors for our team to train in the US with NBA-caliber talents and facilities. Voigt, the brains behind the innovative "peel switch defense" could be the one who got away.
"SBP arrived at the decision by consensus, no actual voting took place. I was part of the conversation," Dy clarified when asked of her role in the selection process.
SAME OLD. SAME OLD.
A source who requested anonymity insisted that the next Gilas coach will get the nod based on "inclusiveness and transparency."
I politely disagree. I think the SBP plucked a familiar name from its outdated rolodex, one who will toe the company line. In other words, they found their jingle and went all the way, never mind if more beautiful music was playing elsewhere.
As to why the search wasn't more transparent, the same source said the SBP is a non-stock, non-profit organization that does not necessarily bear an obligation to make its planned moves public.
Maybe so, but given the fact that Gilas is a national team and that government funds were allocated for the World Cup, I don't know how that argument has a backbone, let alone withstand scrutiny.
Since the fans always suffer the most, common courtesy dictates that sensitive actions like a coaching search must be announced if only to forewarn the public that more misery may or may not be on the horizon.
Sadly, even with the tremendous strides it has made under Panlilio, the SBP seems stuck on an old system that lovingly surrenders to the whims of internal politics.
Given her position, the new executive director can affect significant change within a federation that seems lathered in patronage among friends.
Now let's see how extensive the changes th SBP can make, most especially from within, with her at the wheel.
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