By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
There will be a new chief orchestrator for the Gilas Pilipinas men’s national basketball team.
After a disappointing silver medal finish during the recently concluded 2022 Southeast Asian Games held in Hanoi, Vietnam, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) immediately looked to make some changes, and replacing Chot Reyes was one option.
Filling in his role is Gilas consultant and internationally-renowned coach Nenad Vucinic who will lead the national team in the upcoming window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
Aside from his Gilas Pilipinas consultant duties, Vucinic is no stranger to international systems as he coached the New Zealand national team way back from 2006-2014.
Having Vucinic as their head coach will also be a key in breaking New Zealand’s new brand of offense as they are set to clash on June 30 and India on July 3 set to take place in Auckland, New Zealand.
This is already SBP’s fourth head coaching change in the last two years after having Jong Uichico during the Manama bubble, Tab Baldwin during their undefeated campaign held in the Philippines where they swept South Korea, and Reyes who last handled the national team.
The veteran tactician was also tapped by head coach Norman Black and the Meralco Bolts as their newest member of their coaching staff for the next PBA conference.
Before flying to New Zealand for the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, Gilas will first have a couple of tune-up games against South Korea from June 17-18.
SBP also retooled its entire roster for the World Cup Qualifiers and tapped all of their past Gilas young cadets who were also under the tutelage of coach Baldwin.
Headlining the list of Gilas players for the third window are Dwight Ramos, Thirdy Ravena, Will Navarro, LeBron Lopez, Caelum Harris, Ange Kouame, Geo Chiu, Kevin Quiambao, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Carl Tamayo, Justine Baltazar, Dave Ildefonso, James Spencer, Sherwin Concepcion, Rhenz Abando, Ricci Rivero, and Allen Liwag.
