In preparation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is looking for a full-time head coach that will handle the team.
In the meantime, however, the federation will tap an interim head coach that will steer the squad in the first window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Why interim? Well, Gilas is set to open their campaign next month — taking on Thailand on February 20 and Indonesia on February 23.
“We are not ready to announce the full-time coach for February for sure,” said SBP president Al Panlilio.
After the opening salvo, the SBP will have time to search for a coach completely dedicated to the team.
“But the next window is November. It gives us time now to set-up the right coach moving forward. It has to be a full-time coach for the program.”
The SBP is doing this because for Panlilio, they no longer have the luxury of co-sharing coaches with ball clubs. What the national team needs is someone who will be solely focused on the program heading into the global meet three years from now.
“All coaches are always in consideration but they have commitments to the ball clubs that they have today. Ang usapan kasi with Tim [Cone] is just the SEA Games. Now, he is also busy with the Finals,” said Panlilio.
“But it’s time to start the journey to 2023. We started with the draft of a pool of players drafted to the team but dedicated to the SBP. We added Thirdy [Ravena] and [Jaydee] Tungcab for the window. We also have to add a few players for the February window. We are just forming the team so most likely we will have an interim coach.”
