Norman Black returns to Gilas sidelines for SEA Games drive

Bernadette Soriano

PBA Grand Slam tactician Norman Black is officially stepping in as Gilas Pilipinas head coach for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, slated for December.

While Tim Cone and his current Gilas core departed Wednesday night (Philippine time) for Jeddah to face Saudi Arabia in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers, Black will run a separate system for the SEA campaign.

The December SEA Games clash with the PBA’s 50th season, prompting the federation to shift strategies and designate a different roster.

Following Wednesday’s PBA board approval, Gilas will now operate with a limited rotation, pulling players from pro and collegiate ranks to fill the SEA lineup.

The cast may feature naturalized aces Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame, with Black crafting a scheme tailored to a fresh roster mix.

Black last coached the national team in the 2011 SEA Games, delivering gold in Jakarta with an undefeated run.

His Gilas resume spans decades, including head coaching duties in the 1994 Asian Games and assistant roles during the Philippines’ silver-medal finish in the 1990 Beijing edition under Robert Jaworski.

With the clipboard back in his hands, Black is set to engineer another title run to keep the SEA crown locked in Philippine possession.