THE healing process continues for both Philippine and Australian basketball.
Over the weekend, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) in coordination with FIBA will be holding a two-day coaching summit which will feature, among others, national and club coaches from Australia.
Slated July 20-21, the clinic will be held at the Meralco Fitness Center.
Acting as main speakers are Damian James Cotter, currently an assistant coach for the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G-League, and Dean Vickerman, the present coach of Melbourne United in the National Basketball League (NBL).
The clinic serves as part of the mission of SBP and its Australian counterpart to mend ties after the infamous brawl between Gilas Pilipinas and the Boomers during last year’s FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
SBP president Al Panlilio made the summit possible in partnership with Fiba through David Crocker, executive director, Fiba Oceania.
“Yes you can say that,” Panlilio said of the SBP effort to mend fences with the Aussies. “But we have always tried to work with all the global federations including Australia.”
The Aussies are also lending a hand in preparing Gilas Pilipinas for the coming Fiba World Cup as NBL club Adelaide 36ers are arriving in the country late in August to play two tune-up games against the national team.
On the local side, representing the SBP in the clinic is Coaches Commission head Jong Uichico, Gilas Pilipinas head mentor Yeng Guiao, National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) project director and Chooks To Go Pilipinas 3x3 commissioner Eric Altamirano, along with Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP) president Louie Gonzales.
“Investing in the growth and development of our coaches is an investment in basketball as a whole. From the grassroots, youth, women’s and up to the professional ranks, great coaching allows the players to not only maximize their talent, but build strong basketball foundation minds,” said Panlilio.
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