PBA Vice-Chairman Alfrancis Chua during the PBA preseason press conference last August 14, 2024 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. PBA Images/File

MANILA -- Alfrancis Chua, already the sports director of San Miguel Corp., is now also in charge of the Gilas Pilipinas Men and the Gilas Pilipinas Youth.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) on Wednesday night announced that Chua will now serve as the program director and team manager of the national youth basketball team and the national men's basketball 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.

"The SBP also extends our appreciation to SMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang for supporting this decision to have Alfrancis help the program again," he added.

Chua is also the vice chairman of the PBA and the governor of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

Since being appointed to lead SMC's basketball operations in 2015, Chua has helped Ginebra, San Miguel Beer, and Magnolia to a combined 15 championships in the PBA. He won the PBA Executive of the Year Award in 2018, 2021, and 2024.

He was the team manager of Gilas Pilipinas when the men's team won gold in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, ending a six-decade drought in the competition.

The SBP said it is "hopeful that similar success is on the horizon with his official return to the program."

"It was great having him on the bench motivating the players. He is such a great motivator. That's one of the things that we hope to enhance the program with his presence," said Gilas Pilipinas Men head coach Tim Cone.

"He has always been there for me to consult with and talk with. And of course, we had that great run in the Asian Games which was fantastic."

Chua will immediately jump into the action as he will be with the team for the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers where Gilas takes on New Zealand on November 21 and Hong Kong on November 24.

"I'm happy I'll be able to help Gilas in this capacity," said Chua. "I thank boss RSA for giving me his blessing in taking this new role and I look forward to working with coach Tim and LA (Tenorio)."

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