A powerhouse mixture of professional and amateur players is being eyed to represent the country in the men’s basketball event of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok from 9 to 20 December.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is reportedly looking at this possibility after the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) board of governors agreed to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas with a “limited amount” of players in its bid to defend the regional title.
The league said the 50th season is in full swing around December, making it hard for all 12 teams to make all their players available for the biennial meet.
If ever, either Justin Brownlee or Ange Kouame can suit up since the organizing body allows teams to field one naturalized player each. Players from eliminated PBA teams can also be tapped since the Philippine Cup, which will start on 5 October, is expected to be in the crucial stretch around late November.
On the contrary, both the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) are expected to adjust their respective calendars to make their players available for national duty.
Last year, the UAAP cage event ended on 15 December while that of the NCAA finished a week earlier on 7 December. If both leagues agree, they can easily wrap up their respective tournaments around the last week of November, giving selected players enough time to train and develop chemistry.
Tasked to handle the squad is Norman Black, who is serving as SBP coaching consultant. Black, however, has yet to issue a statement as he is still in Las Vegas with Gilas 16U coach LA Tenorio and Gilas Women tactician Pat Aquino for the federation’s talent identification program.
Black has what it takes to lead a souped-up Gilas squad.
Aside from being a grand slam coach for San Miguel Beer in the PBA, he also has an extensive resume in the international arena, including a semifinal finish in the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima and gold medal in the 2011 SEA Games in Palembang.
Should the SBP formalize his appointment, Black will have a deep pool of talent to choose his final roster.
Ateneo de Manila University, which is being supported by SBP chairman emeritus Manny Pangilinan, can make young stars like Jared Bahay and Waki Espina available while De La Salle University can offer the likes of Kean Baclaan, Mike Phillips, Luis Pablo, Jacob Cortez and, of course, Gilas stalwart Mason Amos to the national squad.
In the NCAA, Black can draft Season 100 Most Valuable Player Allen Liwag and Tony Ynot from College of Saint Benilde as well as Clint Escamis of Mapua University and John Barba of Arellano University.
The Philippines is expected to field its best team in the SEA Games, especially with countries like Indonesia and Thailand showing signs of improvement due to the emergence of various international leagues.