NORMAN Black, the head coach of Gilas Pilipinas to the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, is looking to pick up bigs from the collegiate leagues to complete the Gilas Pilipinas roster for its defense of the gold medal in Thailand this December.
Black said the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) through executive director Erika Dy is reaching out to the UAAP and NCAA concerning the Gilas roster for the biennial meet, acknowledging that the two major collegiate leagues will be in full swing during the SEA Games that will run from December 8 to 20.
READ Black lists 8 players committed to play for Gilas at SEA Games
So far, eight players have committed to join the Philippine contingent in the SEA Games led by naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame. Also all-in for the SEA Games are Japan B.League players Ray Parks and Matthew Wright, former NCAA Division I baller Remy Martin, MPBL standouts Dave Ildefonso and Jason Brickman, and collegiate star Veejay Pre.
Black wants bigs to fill the roster since Kouame is the only legitimate center in the roster.
“I would love to get some college players from the NCAA and the UAAP,” said Black during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum. “What’s happening right now is Ericka has been talking to the two leagues to see whether we can actually borrow some of their players.”
“But they do have games also. So there’s somewhat of a conflict as far as the SEA Games [is concerned]. Maybe we can work it out. We have been talking to the UAAP. We have been talking to the other leagues to see if we can possibly borrow some of their players."
On who he wants for the SEA Games, Black declined to reveal names.
“I’m hoping that they will be big men. If you look at the lineup that I have right now, most of them are guards, wingmen. The only big that I have is Ange Kouame, and then Brownlee can play the big and the small forward. There are a lot of good big men out there in the Philippines that can join the team. We just have to try to get permission so that they can play,” said Black.
Due to the SEA Games schedule, Black said gaining commitments from players have been a challenge.
“Our biggest problem has been recruitment. A lot of the other stakeholders as far as basketball is concerned also had their league at the same time as the SEA Games is taking place. It’s been very difficult and challenging to be able to get some guys released by their teams.
“A lot of young players have committed to play but at the same time, they need permission from their mother teams to be able to join us. We are in the process of trying to get that done right now.”
READ SEA Games eligibility rules change clears way for loaded Gilas lineup
“As soon as I can form the team, we will decide when we will start practicing. We have a little bit of a problem because two guys – Matthew Wright and Rayray Parks – they actually play in Japan. They won’t be here in the Philippines,” said Black.
Black will be gunning for his second gold medal in the SEA Games after winning gold in the 2011 edition in Jakarta with a team that included Parks, Kiefer Ravena, Greg Slaughter, Cliff Hodge, and Chris Tiu, among the notable players fin the roster.
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