Though the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has yet to make an announcement, the International Basketball Federation’s website has listed three coaches under the Philippines for the upcoming 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Joining TNT Katropa consultant Mark Dickel and Gilas Youth program director Sandy Arespacochaga is a surprise in former Iran youth program technical director Nenad Trunic.
Trunic, 51, is a Serbian coach who was the coaching staff coordinator and training technology manager of Iran’s youth team. He resigned from his position early 2019.
Dickel has been part of TNT’s staff since 2018, while Arespacochaga is an assistant for both TNT and Ateneo.
It is safe to assume that these were the handpicked choices of Gilas Men’s program director Tab Baldwin.
SBP president Al Panlilio has said that the federation is looking for a full-time coach for Gilas for the build up to the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The Philippines will open its FIBA ACQ campaign versus Thailand on February 20, before facing Indonesia on the 23rd.
