Norman Black to coach Gilas Pilipinas for SEA Games

Norman Black has been appointed as the coach for the Philippine men's national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, for the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The appointment comes as national coach Tim Cone begged off from the SEA Games post due to his commitment with Ginebra during the PBA's likely second conference.

The SEA Games, scheduled from December 9-20, are not part of the FIBA calendar, meaning no leeways will be given to Gilas' overseas players.

This includes players like Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, and potentially Kai Sotto in the Japan B.League, and Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao in the Korean Basketball League.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has granted Black the flexibility to choose his preferred roster, which may include collegiate players, naturalized athletes Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame, and any available overseas players not in the Japan B.League or Korean Basketball League.

Whether Cone will allow Ginebra players Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, and Justin Brownlee to join the SEA Games squad remains undecided.