Big J open to handle team: SBP mulls short list for Gilas post

MANILA, Philippines - The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is buckling down to work for the selection of a head coach to gain sufficient time to prepare for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

Members of the search committee will make a short list of candidates as they convene on Tuesday and come up with their recommendation in time for the next meeting of the board of trustees of the SBP in December.

The SBP said in a statement that a timeline will be set to govern the selection process of the committee chaired by SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas, with PBA commissioner Chito Salud, PBA chairman Pato Gregorio, PBA vice chairman Robert Non (representing PBA D-League) and SBP executive director Sonny Barrios as members.

“We’ll set the criteria for the search then make the short list,” said Salud, adding he’ll push for someone with international experience.

PBA coaches with previous international exposure are Tim Cone, Norman Black, Jong Uichico and Yeng Guiao. There’s also former player, coach and senator Robert “Big J” Jaworski who has said he’ll consider getting the job if it’s offered to him.

There’s also Talk n Text consultant Tab Baldwin, a veteran international coach who steered New Zealand to a semifinal finish in the World Championship in 2002 in Indianapolis.

Time is of the essence since the PBA will still re-adjust its calendar once the national coach is named and the FIBA schedule is known.

“No doubt,” said Salud on their move to make the adjustments to synchronize their schedule with the next FIBA Asia Championship serving as the qualifier for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

A parallel Search & Screening Committee for the Gilas cadet team will meet on Nov. 15. Barrios, as SBP representative, will chair the group, which includes SBP Board of Trustees members Edmundo  Baculi, representing UAAP, Fr. Victor Calvo, O.P. (NCAA), Raul Alcoseba (CESAFI and the Visayas-Mindanao regions) and Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem (NAASCU and NCR).

Both committees’ work is recommendatory in nature, with the final choice resting on the SBP president.

Pangilinan, in a board meeting at their PLDT Makati office recently, had proposed a “participative and consultative approach” in the initial selection process for future national teams to address at least nine international tournaments scheduled for 2015.

During the meeting, the SBP board was also briefed by Pangilinan on the country’s initial bid to host the 2019 FIBA World Cup, with FIBA coming up with a list of candidates by the end of next month.

Thoroughly discussed as well was SBP’s expanded grassroots development program, with Pangilinan outlining his plan to “undertake an all encompassing overall nationwide program” for the next two years.

The SBP head urged regional SBP leaders to take a more active role in “crafting the program for implementation in their own backyards.”

The novel 3x3 format which FIBA is actively pushing via the multi-leg Masters Tour as a means to spread the gospel of the game will also get a major boost across the country, especially in the towns and municipalities.

Established national leagues at different age groups – 18 yrs. and over via the PCCL with Rey Gamboa and coach Joe Lipa; under 18 via the NBTC of coach Eric Altamirano; and under 16 through the BEST Center of coach Nic Jorge – will be tapped for SBP’s grassroots undertaking.

“It’s a great honor if it will happen,” said Jaworski, who sat at ringside with his family to witness the All-In basketball Charity game that feattured NBA star Allen Iverson.

Jaworski is a multi-titled coach in the PBA. He was the most popular athlete in the country at his prime, and went on to become a senator.

In 1990, he coached the star-studded Philippine team to the Beijing Asian Games. The team fell short against China in the finals and took the silver medal.

The Philippines hasn’t reached the finals of the Asian Games since then. Before scribes, he sounded like he’s willing to retake his old job.

“Yung sinasabi niyo lang eh nasasarapan na ako (What you’re saying already excites me),” he said.

Local sports portals Spin.ph and InterAksyon carried the story even before the night was over.

“It’s going to be a tough job but I think taking a serious look at it is not a bad idea because it’s a calling. Pero huwag nating pangunahan ‘yan (But let’s not get ahead of things),” he added.– With report from Abac Cordero