MARK Dickel remains the interim coach of Gilas Pilipinas.
SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said Dickel is keeping his position with Gilas especially with FIBA tournaments around the world temporarily on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Unless and until there is an announcement otherwise, siya ang interim head coach,” Barrios stressed.
Dickel called the shots for the national team in the opening leg of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifier last February, steering Gilas to a 30-point blowout of Indonesia.
But the outbreak of the pandemic around the world shut down the qualifying tournament indefinitely.
The SBP initially assigned Dickel to take care of the national team’s first two games in the qualifier, with plans of naming a permanent coach later this year.
The idea appeared to have been put in the backburner, too.
“Pero maaaring na-setback nga 'yan because of this COVID-19 interuption,” said Barrios.
SBP director for operations Butch Antonio affirmed Barrios’ statement.
“Right now it’s on hold. There’s no activity as far as our Gilas Pilipinas men’s team is concerned,” he said.
Antonio added the planned meeting with Gilas Pilipinas project director Tab Baldwin by the SBP team will give a clear picture of what the future of the national team will be moving forward.
The SBP likewise announced the role of Baldwin as project director remains status quo.
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