Chot Reyes withdraws name from Gilas coach consideration

MANILA, Philippines – Former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes has asked the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) selection committee to exclude his name from the search of the team’s next head coach.

In a statement he released through Twitter on Monday, November 10, Reyes says he has “humbly” requested for his name not to be included in discussions by the selection committee, which is scheduled to have their first meeting on Tuesday, November 11.

“I understand the Search Committee is scheduled to meet this week. In this light, I humbly request that my name would not be considered by the Committee as a candidate for the national team coach of Smart Gilas Pilipinas. This will allow the Committee to do its work unencumbered, take a broader view of other potential candidates to this national job, and enable the Gilas program to move on unfettered. Indeed, it is time for someone else take over the wheel; it is time for me to hand over that wheel,” said Reyes. 

“May I say that I have dedicated the past two (2) years serving the National Team to the best of my ability. I have personally derived great pride and much satisfaction for the strides the Gilas program has taken – with the collective effort of everyone involved in the effort. 

“I would like to thank MVP, the SBP, PBA, TV5, the PLDT group, the Gilas supporters, and most especially my family for those two difficult but wonderful years I was given to serve my country and Philippine basketball. Despite the intense pressure that came with the job and the public scrutiny that goes with being the National Coach, this job has always been a unique privilege – I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. 

“Salamat, Gilas. Salamat, Pilipinas.

“Mabuhay tayong lahat. Laban Pilipinas! PUSO!” 

(RELATED: Chot Reyes takes blame for disappointing Asian Games stint)

Reyes took over for Gilas Pilipinas in 2012, quickly leading the team to a gold medal finish in the 2012 William Jones Cup tournament. In the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship held in Manila, Reyes and the Philippines men’s national basketball team finished in second place, which was enough to earn them a spot in the 2014 FIBA World Cup. 

In the World Cup, Gilas finished 1-4 but impressed many with their gutsy performances against top-ranked FIBA teams Argentina, Puerto Rico, Greece, Croatia, and Senegal. 

In the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, Gilas finished a disappointing seventh place after finishing the tournament with a win over Mongolia.

It was announced on October 30, Thursday, that Gilas would go through a “re-evaluation” process after their disappointing stint in the Asiad. One of the reported focal points of the re-evaluation was the head coaching spot.

– Rappler.com