The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will appoint Norman Black as the head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s team for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
The development was first reported by Philstar.com and later confirmed to Tiebreaker Times by multiple sources closely monitoring the situation.
Current Gilas head coach Tim Cone had earlier stated that he would not be coaching the team in the regional tournament, where the Philippines is eyeing its 20th gold medal. This is due to the scheduling conflict with the 2025–26 PBA Philippine Cup, which will be in full swing by then.
Cone’s Gilas are also preparing for the opening window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, which runs from November 24 to December 2.
As a result, the SBP has turned to Black to steer the national team for the SEA Games, set to be held in Bangkok from December 9 to 20.
(C) SJ Belangel
According to Tiebreaker Times sources, Black has already reached out to several Filipino Asian Quota players currently playing in the B.League and KBL to inquire about their availability.
However, securing their release from their respective clubs remains unlikely, as the SEA Games fall outside of the designated FIBA calendar and their leagues will still be ongoing during that period.
Given the circumstances, one of the contingency plans being considered is to field a team composed of top student-athletes from the UAAP, reinforced by either naturalized players Justin Brownlee or Angelo Kouame.
Players from eliminated teams during the Philippine Cup may also be tapped.
Black is no stranger to leading a youthful national team. He previously coached the Philippine squad to gold in the 2011 Jakarta SEA Games with a roster that had Kiefer Ravena, Chris Tiu, Chris Ellis, Cliff Hodge, Greg Slaughter, Dave Marcelo, Garvo Lanete, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Jake Pascual, Emman Monfort, Nico Salva, and RR Garcia.
Although Black stepped away from PBA coaching duties in 2023, he remains heavily involved in Philippine basketball. He currently serves as the SBP’s head of player identification and development and is also a team consultant for the San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA.
