SBP expects to name next Gilas coach by December

MANILA, Philippines – Before the end of the year, the brain trust of Gilas Pilipinas for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship may already be known.

This is a big possibility with members of the search committee making a short list of candidates for the next Philippine national basketball head coach convening Tuesday to start their task.

They are expected to complete their job and be ready with their recommendation in time for the next meeting of the board of trustees of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas in December.

The SBP said in a statement that a timeline will be set to govern the selection process of the committee chaired by SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas, with PBA commissioner Chito Salud, PBA chairman Pato Gregorio, PBA vice chairman Robert Non (representing PBA D-League) and SBP executive director Sonny Barrios as members.

“We’ll set the criteria for the search then make the short list,” said Salud, adding he’ll push for someone with international experience.

PBA coaches with previous international exposure are Tim Cone, Norman Black, Jong Uichico and Yeng Guiao. There’s also former player, coach and senator Robert Jaworski, who has said he’ll consider getting the job if it’s offered to him.

There’s also Talk n Text consultant Tab Baldwin, a veteran international coach who steered New Zealand to a semifinal finish in the World Championship in 2002 in Indianapolis.

Time of the essence since the PBA has to yet again readjust its calendar once the national coach is named and the FIBA schedule is known.

“No doubt,” said Salud on their readiness to make the adjustments to synchronize their schedule with the next FIBA Asia Championship serving as the qualifier for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

A parallel Search & Screening Committee for the Gilas cadet team will meet on Nov. 15. Barrios, as SBP representative, will chair the group, which includes SBP Board of Trustees members Edmundo Baculi, representing UAAP, Fr. Victor Calvo, O.P. (NCAA), Raul Alcoseba (CESAFI and the Visayas-Mindanao regions) and Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem (NAASCU and NCR).

 Both committees' work is recommendatory in nature, with the final choice resting on the SBP president.

Pangilinan, in a board meeting at the PLDT Makati office recently, had proposed a “participative and consultative approach” in the initial selection process for future national teams to address at least nine international tournaments scheduled for 2015.

 During the meeting, the SBP board was also briefed by Pangilinan on the country’s initial bid to host the 2019 FIBA World Cup, with FIBA coming up with a list of candidates by the end of next month.

 Thoroughly discussed as well was SBP’s expanded grassroots development program, with Pangilinan outlining his plan to “undertake an all encompassing overall nationwide program” for the next two years.

The SBP head urged regional SBP leaders to take a more active role in “crafting the program for implementation in their own backyards.”

The novel 3x3 format, which FIBA is actively pushing via the multi-leg Masters Tour as a means to spread the gospel of the game, will also get a major boost across the country, especially in the towns and municipalities.

 Established national leagues at different age groups – 18 yrs. and over via the PCCL , with Rey Gamboa and coach Joe Lipa; Joe Lipa);  under 18 via the NBTC of coach Eric Altamirano; and under 16 through the BEST Center of coach Nic Jorge – will be tapped for SBP’s grassroots undertaking.

 Similarly set for launching is the SBP Referees National Accreditation Commission.