Gilas looks to finalize coaching staff and roster as FIBA qualifiers loom

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

With two months left before the FIBA Asia Cup qualifying window, Gilas Pilipinas is scuttling to have their final roster and appoint a new set of coaches.

Two of the biggest question marks that Gilas will need to address are the players they will be activating and the coaching staff that will run the show for the Philippines.

Problems started to arise for Gilas after the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases approved the PBA bubble in Clark.

Most of the players in Gilas’ pool and most of their coaches are part of the PBA bubble and under strict health protocols of the big league, those who will enter Clark can no longer leave until the season ends.

Mark Dickel, the interim head coach for Gilas is with TNT KaTropa as an active consultant while assistant coaches Topex Robinson will have to be with the Phoenix Fuel Masters as the interim head coach and Sandy Arespacochaga is with the NLEX Road Warriors as a deputy to head coach Yeng Guiao.

Previously, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and president Al Panlilio already said that they will be naming the new Gilas head coach after their first game against Indonesia but things were stalled after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country.