WHO will be the new Gilas Pilipinas coach?
Whether it’s Tim Cone, Norman Black, Tab Baldwin or somebody else, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) bared that it will make the announcement on the appointment of a permanent Gilas coach 'very soon.'
In an interview with SPIN.ph, newly installed SBP executive director Erika Dy bared that they have been working overtime since the end of the Asian Games last year to build a more solid foundation for the Gilas program.
READ Goorjian open to taking on Gilas, PBA jobs after Paris Olympics
“Yes, I would like to inform everyone that we are set to announce the new head coach of Gilas. And from this coach, he will also name the new pool of players,” said Dy, who has just taken over the executive director role from Sonny Barrios.
Acting on the instructions of SBP president Al Panlilio to build a more active and responsive federation, Dy bared the plan for a long-term program wherein the new head coach will hold the position for a four-year cycle.
“Yes, ganun ang plan para may consistency at continuity. So kung sino ang mag te-take over for the February window (ng Fiba qualifiers), siya na ang hahawak for the next four years,” said the current Fiba Legal Commission chairwoman.
Asked about the identity of the new coach, Dy declined to reveal the name yet, saying the final phase of the negotiations is still ongoing.
“Meron na kaming kausap but we have to wait for the announcement, we don’t want to compromise the negotiations, not just with the coach but with the pool of players he is eyeing,” said the former Ateneo player and coach.
The only thing Dy can offer as a hint at this point is the fact that the coach has a very impressive track record.
“He is very popular here in the Philippines but depende 'yang known na 'yan kung sino yung market na kinakausap natin. Hindi naman natin siya consider if di siya magaling, not because he is popular, but because he has a very wide knowledge of the game and its science,” she said smiling.
Dy also shared that the team to be formed will immediately go to a series of practices and training ‘with the new coach’ for the resumption of Fiba tournaments and the Olympic qualifiers set in mid-year.
“Mr. Panlilio wants no stone unturned in the Gilas program this time, especially that we concluded 2023 on a winning note, bagging our first basketball gold in the Asian Games," Dy said.
So expect a more dynamic Gilas and SBP this year and the years to come,” she added. “Of course, not to mention the success of our hosting of the World Cup which was given due recognition not only by the teams, countries and players that came over but by Fiba itself."
Why Goorjian isn't on SBP shortlist
Asked if Olympic bronze medal-winning coach Brian Goorjian, who during the practice of the Strong Group Athletics team told SPIN.ph about his interest in being part of the Gilas coaching staff, is in the shortlist, Dy had a quick reply.
“I don’t think coach Brian is part of that. We can’t negotiate with him yet as he is still under contract with Australia. And the fact that we need to solidify our program as tournaments will roll in the next few months made us proceed with our own head hunt,” she said, stressing that Goorjian has a contract with the Australian federation until August this year.
“We have a very good relationship with Australia and we would want to keep it that way. But, coach Brian has a very impressive track record not just in Australia, in the NBL but also internationally.
“But if he will be available to help Gilas in the future, we can always explore the possibility. As long as it will be beneficial for the development of Gilas and Philippine basketball in general, we would always give it a second look,” said Dy.
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