SBP to launch search for ‘other’ coach

MANILA, Philippines - Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios said the search for the other national coach handling the Philippine team in the SEABA Championship and in the SEA Games next year will also commence soon.

Barrios, UAAP official Junel Baculi, NCAA representative Paul Supan, NAASCU’s Jay Adalem and CESAFI’s Yayoy Alcoseba make up the committee that will screen candidates to be presented for approval by the SBP executive committee headed by president Manny V. Pangilinan.

He said they will  apply the same procedure used in screening candidates for the head coach of Gilas Pilipinas.

“The committee will also set criteria that will guide us in making a short list of candidates,” said Barrios.

UAAP champion coach Eric Altamirano, national youth mentor Jamike Jarin and NCAA winning coach Boyet Fernandez, depending on his availability since he’s now with the NLEX team in the PBA, could well be the top choices for the job.

“It’s also important as he’s to handle the team in the qualifying tournament for the FIBA Asia tourney. If we fared poorly, Gilas Pilipinas won’t make the qualifying tournament for the Olympics,” said Barrios.

The national team, competing in the SEABA and in SEAG, will be composed of amateur players reinforced by naturalized player Marcus Douthit.

“He’s under contract with us until September,” said Barrios of Douthit’s availability for the SEABA tourney tentatively set in April.

A separate SBP committee, chaired by SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas, has come up with two candidates for the Gilas Pilipinas head coaching position.

Based on the criteria used by the committee, Tab Baldwin and Jong Uichico loom as the top choices.

Barrios said they will interview the candidates anytime next week.