By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball squad confirmed the return of three of their former assistant coaches that will help head coach Jong Uichico in their quest for FIBA Asia Cup glory this February.
Completing Gilas’ coaching staff are Norman Black of the Meralco Bolts, Caloy Garcia of Rain or Shine, and Sandy Arespacochaga of the TNT Tropang Giga.
All three coaches are no strangers to the Gilas program, with Black being a former assistant of Head Coach Chot Reyes, Garcia under Yeng Guiao, and Arespacochaga under Program Director Tab Baldwin’s helm.
“We are really trying to cast the net wide and bring more coaches to be exposed to the national team environment and gain more international experience. We are two-plus years out from 2023. It’s about bringing a lot of people in as we get closer to 2023,” said Baldwin.
Previously, San Beda Red Lions’ Head Coach Boyet Fernandez was appointed as Uichico’s assistant in their stellar FIBA November window run where they went to battle without any professional player and still swept their way to an undefeated bubble in Manama.
As of this time, the PBA is yet to release its official statement on whether it will allow professional players to be a part of the Gilas roster for the next window.
