Romwel Anzures

33rd Southeast Asian Games Gilas Pilipinas head coach Norman Black (center) and former Gilas players Mason Amos (left) and Mike Phillips (right). Photos from FIBA Basketball, PBA Images, and 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755586829374IMG_8054.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="33rd Southeast Asian Games Gilas Pilipinas head coach Norman Black (center) and former Gilas players Mason Amos (left) and Mike Phillips (right). Photos from FIBA Basketball, PBA Images, and 32nd Southeast Asian Games."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">33rd Southeast Asian Games Gilas Pilipinas head coach Norman Black (center) and former Gilas players Mason Amos (left) and Mike Phillips (right). <em>Photos from FIBA Basketball, PBA Images, and 32nd Southeast Asian Games.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas is set to feature a fresh look when it competes in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand later this year.</div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/8/3/norman-black-faces-tall-task-as-gilas-coach-for-sea-games-1417"><strong>READ: Norman Black faces tall task as Gilas coach for SEA Games</strong></a></div><p>The Nationals, who are officially coached by Tim Cone, will be temporarily led by Norman Black in the Bangkok games due to availability issues.</p><p>The regional meet will be from December 9-20 -- a schedule that clashes not just with the PBA&#x27;s 50th season, but also the Japan B.League and the Korean Basketball League.</p><p>The Southeast Asian Games are not a part of the FIBA calendar..</p><p>Given this, Black is expected to field a roster that is composed of players from the collegiate ranks, overseas players who are not in the B.League and in the KBL, as well as naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame.</p><p>“In terms of the composition, we’re still allowing him to talk to different players for his roster,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy on Tuesday at the sidelines of Pilipinas United 3x3 League’s pre-tournament presser.</p><p>“It’s based sa preference with Coach Norman, kung sino yung players,” she added.</p><p>Multiple reports suggest that players like SJ Belangel, Ray Parks Jr., Matthew Wright — all depending on their respective overseas mother teams’ permission — together with former and present UAAP standouts like Quentin Millora-Brown, Mason Amos, and Kean Baclaan will wear the tri-colors in Thailand.</p><p>The UAAP has already expressed its willingness to give way if any of its players are tapped for National team duties.</p><p>The SBP is keen on forming a competitive squad as Gilas looks to defend its men’s 5-on-5 title despite the looming absence of its top guns Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, and Scottie Thompson.</p><p>But with the scheduling conflicts likely to recur in future iterations of the regional meet, will the SBP use Black&#x27;s SEA Games squad as a formula for building a potential &quot;Team B&quot; for Gilas Pilipinas?</p><p>“Not really,” said Dy, “The program remains the same. The SEA Games are a really bit tricky kasi it’s not a part of the FIBA calendar. It’s really a different tournament.”</p><p>“Yung SEA Games, we don’t know kung anong sport yung andyan. Sa Singapore [in 2029] might not even have 5-on-5 basketball kasi they don’t have a team,” she continued.</p><p>Even Black’s post as Gilas head coach will remain a one-time thing for now, said the former Ateneo women&#x27;s basketball head coach.</p><p>“It was really supposed to be Coach Tim, but maybe around May or June, it was decided that he would not coach the SEA Games anymore,” Dy said. “We will continue to take it one step at a time.”<strong></strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong> <script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABe6njxmRBIWY7mz"></script></div>

<p>Gilas Pilipinas is set to feature a fresh look when it competes in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand later this year.</p>

Gilas Pilipinas is set to feature a fresh look when it competes in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand later this year.

Will Norman Black's SEA Games squad open up possibility of Team B for Gilas?

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Will Norman Black's SEA Games squad open up possibility of Team B for Gilas?

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 19, 2025 04:05 PM PHT

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Basketball

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Gilas

Gilas Pilipinas

2025 FIBA Asia Cup

Tim Cone

Norman Black

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