Reyes returns as Gilas coach

Former Philippine national men’s basketball team coach Chot Reyes has been tasked to return to his old position on the Gilas Pilipinas team, a development he informed the members of the current Gilas pool of player on Tuesday.

In a meeting that was streamed live on Facebook, Reyes admitted that the decision was finalized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas late on Monday and he will take over for current head coach Tab Baldwin, who will remain as part of the program.

“As you know I signed up to coach Gilas until 2014. Nung matapos yung 2014, we turned over to Tab. Actually, ako mismo kumuha kay Tab from New Zealand to be with the Gilas staff with the end in view of him taking over my position,” Reyes said in the meeting.

“And yun nga yung nangyari. He ended up in the Gilas program, 2015 and 2016. Unfortunately, we cannot control lahat ng pangyayari. The FIBA Asia Championships happened and then the OQT happened.”

“It has been decided last night. Coach Tab has been told last night that he will slide up to the consultant position. And they have asked me to take over the job as head coach again.”

Reyes, who was recently named president of TV5, admitted it was a difficult decision on his part as he had been readying himself for the challenges his corporate post had in store for him.

“But in the end, like sabi ni (SBP executive director Sonny Barrios), it’s not an overnight decision. They’ve been talking to me about this for over a month already. Pinagisipan ko. In the end, mahirap talaga talikuran ang iyong bansa. I think that’s the challenge, the call, given to all of us here. It’s very difficult to turn your back on flag and country,” Reyes added.

“I’ve had good experiences with Gilas, I’ve had terrible experiences. I told my family today, when that announcement is made, get ready, the haters are going to come out again. But that’s part of what we do, kasama yan sa trabaho natin.”

His vision, though, remains focused on helping the Gilas program succeed.

“What’s important is we focus on the job at hand and that job is to represent the Philippines in the best way possible in future FIBA competition.” —