FILE–Norman Black will be coaching Gilas Pilipinas in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.
Norman Black is expected to face big challenges in terms of forming a roster in his second tour of duty calling the shots for the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games.
Black was tapped by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to coach in the biennial meet set Dec. 9 to 20 in Thailand, but he will have to make do with who is available to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas.
READ: ‘Different’ Gilas team to defend gold that matters in SEA Games
The PBA had announced on its website on Wednesday that the board agreed on a “limited number of players for the SEAG campaign since PBA Season 50 is ongoing then. The Philippine Cup will continue without interruption throughout the regional competition.
In fact, the PBA has approved the staging of games in Bahrain in mid-December, which coincides with the SEA Games.
That leaves Black with having to tap some players from teams that may no longer be in contention for playoff berths in the season-opening Philippine Cup.
Another options for Black is tapping amateur players from the UAAP and NCAA, depending on when the two leagues end.
Black was unavailable for comment, but he told Spin.ph that he “was willing to take on the challenge” after being approached by the SBP.
He is making a return as national team coach for the SEA Games, after having steered the Sinag Pilipinas in convincing fashion to the gold at the 2011 edition in Indonesia. That squad was led by Kiefer Ravena, Cliff Hodge, Greg Slaughter, Ray Parks Jr. and Chris Tiu.
This will be the third time Black will be handling a Philippine team. His first stint was with the San Miguel Beer-flavored national cagers in the 1994 Hiroshima Games, placing fourth.
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