Chua named new Gilas team manager, program director

Sports

THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) came up with a big announcement just before the scheduled duel of Gilas Pilipinas with New Zealand for the second window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.

The SBP on Wednesday night, November 20, announced that Alfrancis Chua has been installed as national team’s program director and team manager.

With Chua’s appointment, the country’s basketball program is now being run by personnel who are under the San Miguel Corporation (SMC).

Chua is currently the sports director of SMC and is also the team governor of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the Philippine Basketball Association.

The head coach of Gilas Pilipinas is Tim Cone, who is also the bench tactician of Ginebra, one of the three SMC-owned teams in the PBA.

The SBP also recently named LA Tenorio, the veteran playmaker of Ginebra, as the head coach of the national basketball youth team.

“I am very happy that Alfrancis is back with Gilas. I work well with him and our only objective is to elevate Philippine basketball,” SBP President AL Panlilio said in a statement.

Chua’s appointment came just after SBP announced the final list of players who will suit up when Gilas takes on New Zealand at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday night, November 21.

The 12-man Gilas roster include Japeth Aguilar, Mason Amos, June Mar Fajardo, Justin Brownlee, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, Kevin Quiambao, Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, Scottie Thompson, and Carl Tamayo.(CCM)