TALK 'N Text’s active consultant Mark Dickel has been named the interim head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team.

Dickel will not have long to have his first test as he steers the team in the opening window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers on February 20 to 23, 2020.

Dickel will pick out a final roster from a pool composed of 24 players from both the PBA and the amateur ranks. The team will be taking on Thailand in a home game on February 20. They will then fly to Indonesia to battle the home team at the Britama Arena on February 23.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), though, bared its plan to name a full-time head coach when the second window comes around in November.

Dickel, a two-time Olympian, has done an admirable job at the helm of Talk 'N Text last season as he guided them to the playoffs in all three conferences.