Next Gilas coach should have overseas experience – SBP

MANILA, Philippines – The search and screening committee created by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) board of trustees finally met and set the criteria that will be used in picking the next coach for the PBA-backed national team.

However, the criteria are not yet cast on a stone as they will still go through the probing eyes of the executive committee led by SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan and chairman Oscar Moreno.

Also in the executive committee are Barrios, vice chairman Ricky Vargas, who were both present in the meeting, and vice president Al Panlilio.

"Since Chot Reyes has already begged off, naturally, we will have a new coach. That is why we are very careful in creating the criteria that will be our basis for choosing on who will succeed him to continue and oversee the Gilas program," Barrios told Philstar.com on Tuesday evening.

"Well, we don't want to reveal them yet since gusto namin finalized na and approved by the excom (executive committee) bago namin i-expose. Since we (Vargas) were there in the meeting, sila MVP, chairman (Moreno) at si Al (Panlilio) na lang ang titingin sa napagkasunduan namin kaning mga criteria," Barrios added.

The SBP official, however, said that one of the criteria is very obvious, which is having international experience.

"Well, hindi naman kung anong liga lang ang lalaruan natin so that (international experience) is a must," Barrios said.

Among the names being floated in various reports as early candidates for the short list are previous national coaches Tim Cone, Jong Uichico, Norman Black and even Sonny Jaworski, who indicated that he is interested if short-listed.

Outside them, there is one more name that is reportedly high on the list – coach Tab Baldwin, who sat as team consultant to the Reyes-coached Gilas team.

Balwdin led New Zealand to a semifinal finish in the 2002 World Championships, Lebanon to a Stankovic title and Jordan to a runner-up finish behind China in the 2011 FIBA Asia Men's Championship.

Barrios was joined by SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas, PBA commissioner Chito Salud, PBA chairman Pato Gregorio and PBA vice chairman Robert Non in the meeting.

The committee is looking at another round of discussion next week or even earlier once the criteria is finalized so it could proceed with coming up with short list.

"Well, ayaw ko namang pangunahan ang ex-com natin but I think by next week, mapa-finalized na nila president MVP yan," Barrios said.

A parallel committee to tackle the parameters in the selection process for national teams that do not involve professional players will be convened on Tuesday with the NCAA now represented by Paul Efren Supan, Jose Rizal University sports director and NCAA MANCOM chairman.