Black says SEA Games gold tops list of achievements after ‘really difficult journey’

MANILA, Philippines – Norman Black has no shortage of accolades, having won a Grand Slam in the PBA and a five-peat in the UAAP, but steering Gilas Pilipinas to the gold in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand when the conditions were virtually placed for them to lose takes a special place in his heart.

Black and the Nationals still got the job done despite the hosts’ flip-flopping on players’ eligibility rules and the short preparation time as they delivered the country its 20th men’s basketball title in the regional showpiece following a gritty 70-64 win over Thailand in the final on Friday, December 19.

“Right now, it ranks No. 1. This is the most recent one. This has been a really difficult journey,” said Black, who also won a SEA Games gold with Gilas Cadets in 2011.

Black already had two-thirds of his roster determined by September as he secured the commitment of Justin Brownlee, Ray Parks, Matthew Wright, Ange Kouame, Remy Martin, Jason Brickman, Dave Ildefonso, and Veejay Pre as the local organizing committee adopted a passport-only rule for eligibility.

The champion mentor then added Thirdy Ravena, Mike Phillips, Kymani Ladi, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser to complete his 12-man lineup.

Only Parks, Wright, Ravena, and Pre, however, made it to the final roster after the hosts prohibited the inclusion of those considered naturalized players under FIBA rules, effectively scrapping the participation of Brownlee, Kouame, Martin, Brickman, Phillips, Ladi, and Ganuelas-Rosser.

Black and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas scrambled to put a team together, tapping the services of PBA players Robert Bolick, Poy Erram, Dalph Panopio, Von Pessumal, and Abu Tratter even while the Philippine Cup is ongoing, as well as Jamie Malonzo, Cedrick Manzano, and Justin Chua.

“I went four months not knowing what the rules were, not knowing what the eligibility rules were. I formed a team only to be told I couldn’t use that team. And then when I formed another team, I was told I couldn’t use certain players,” said Black.

“I know I shut down the media a little bit and I didn’t talk because every time I would say something, it seemed like the organizing committee would change the rules. So I decided I wasn’t going to mention anything publicly anymore.”

Black said after their opening win against Malaysia that it marked their first game as a group, with Erram coming in as a last-minute replacement for Allen Liwag.

The lack of time together showed throughout the tournament as the Philippines endured a series of slow starts — the team even trailing 29-38 at halftime against Thailand in the gold-medal match.

But Black and his coaching staff always made the right adjustments and got the team ready for a second-half comeback.

“When you’ve gone through what we’ve gone through to get up to this point, adversity doesn’t seem that hard. We basically just go out and fight and pull together,” said Black.

“I’m glad it turned out for the best.” – Rappler.com