MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas will likely feature a "hybrid" team and be handled by an interim coach when it competes in the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in February.

This, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio, as the organization has yet to name a full-time coach for the Philippine national basketball team.

"For February, it's gonna be for hybrid for players, and maybe an interim coach among the coaches we have today here," he said. "That's the easiest thing to do."

Panlilio said Saturday that the five players who were selected in the special rookie draft last December – Isaac Go, Rey Suerte, Matt Nieto, Allyn Bulanadi, and Mike Nieto – will form the core of the squad. Joining them will be Thirdy Ravena and JD Tungcab, who have been added to the Gilas Pilipinas pool as well.

The team will be augmented with some PBA players, and either Stanley Pringle or Christian Standhardinger may be tapped as the naturalized player. Other amateur standouts, like Kobe Paras, can also be added to the pool.

As for the coach, Panlilio said they are still assessing their options.

• READ: New Gilas Pilipinas plans already in motion says Panlilio

"We also have a meeting with the PBA next week. Hopefully by that time, we can advise them in more detail 'yung plano namin," he said.

"We're cramming a little bit for the February window," Panlilio also admitted.

The Philippines has been grouped with Indonesia, Thailand, and South Korea in the first round of the qualifiers. They play Thailand and Indonesia in February.

Panlilio acknowledged that they could have asked the Gilas team that won gold in the recent Southeast Asian Games to compete in the first window of the qualifiers, but he wanted the national team to go a different route.

"From a PBA governor point of view, I see also the disruption that has happened to the PBA," said Panlilio, who is also Meralco's representative to the Board of Governors. "Kailan ka nakakita ng third conference finals, January the following year?"

"So nakikita ko rin 'yung impact and the sacrifice that the PBA has done and I appreciate that very much," he added. "That's why we embark on this youth movement to speak."

"In this progression, if we can minimize the impact on the PBA, we'll try that."

After the February window, the SBP can focus on selecting a full-time coach, putting together a list of potential naturalized players, and working out the other details of the national team program. Former Gilas coach Tab Baldwin is expected to lead the way as program director.

"We will have more time to prepare for the next window which is in November. Tougher window 'yun," said Panlilio. "Hopefully, the Feb window to November gives us time to find a full-time coach, have more training to really prepare for the November window."

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