Former National coach Chot Reyes (FIBA photo courtesy)

Chot Reyes, despite stepping down as the head coach of Gilas Pilipinas, expressed his strong willingness to support interim national coach Tim Cone in preparing for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

While he may no longer hold the official coaching position, Reyes remains available for consultation and collaboration with Cone.

Reyes officially resigned from his role shortly after the Philippines concluded its 2023 FIBA World Cup campaign with an impressive 96-75 victory over China, which softened the impact of four straight losses sustained previously by Gilas Pilipinas.

Given the sudden need for a new coach for Gilas, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, in partnership with the PBA, approached Cone, who had served as Reyes’ assistant during the World Cup. Cone accepted the responsibility to lead the national team for the Asian Games.

Reyes assured, “Tim knows he can reach out to me for any assistance, whether it’s to exchange ideas or discuss any aspect of the team’s preparations.” He recently provided input regarding the national team’s initial opponents in the Asian Games, which include Jordan, Thailand, and Bahrain.

“I shared my insights a few days ago, not only about our upcoming opponents but also potential challengers in the Asian Games. I am ready to continue offering my assistance,” he emphasized. “I don’t require any official title or position; I am willing to contribute in any capacity.”

The Asian Games are scheduled to commence on September 23, with host China expected to deliver a strong performance after a disappointing showing in the FIBA World Cup, where they won just one out of five games under the guidance of seasoned international coach Sasha Dordevic. The men’s basketball competition will start on September 26, with the Philippine men’s team facing Bahrain on the opening day.

Leading the Philippines will be naturalized player and three-time PBA Best Import Justin Brownlee, along with notable players like June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, and Scottie Thompson, who are among the remaining core members of the Gilas squad from the World Cup. (ai/mnm)

MANILA — Coach Chot Reyes expressed deep regret for Gilas Pilipinas’ winless streak at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The team suffered its fourth consecutive defeat in as many outings, with the latest being a 68-87 loss to South Sudan during the classification phase before a largely partisan crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, August 31.

What made this loss particularly disheartening for Filipino basketball enthusiasts was that it eliminated Gilas from contention for an automatic Paris Olympics qualification next year.

Reyes, visibly defeated after the loss, took full responsibility for the team’s shortcomings, stating, “I’ve said it numerous times. I’m genuinely sorry that we couldn’t deliver, and I bear complete accountability.”

When asked if the defeats served as a learning experience for Gilas, as he had previously mentioned in past tournaments leading up to the World Cup, Reyes responded with a definitive “no.”

He emphasized that this (2023) World Cup was the stage for the home team to execute rather than learn.

“No, this was no longer about gaining experience for us; it was a time for us to win and put our learning into action. This should have happened much earlier. This was the time for us to win and execute, and, as I mentioned, we didn’t get the job done,” Reyes lamented.

Even in defeat, Gilas could have still contended for the sole outright Olympic qualification spot for an Asian team if Japan had also lost to Venezuela. However, Japan secured an 86-77 victory, dashing Filipino hopes.

“Once again, it’s unfortunate. We knew this was the game we absolutely had to win because someone would secure the wins. That’s why I’m very, very disappointed. I wasn’t surprised that Japan won; that’s why I knew this was the game we absolutely had to win,” Reyes explained.

Despite the demoralizing loss, Reyes stressed the need for a swift recovery as Gilas still had a game against China to end their campaign on Saturday, September 2. Gilas aimed to salvage some pride with a victory, which would also affect China’s chances of outright Olympic qualification.

China, which defeated Angola to start its classification phase campaign, needed to beat the Philippines and hope that Japan lost to Cape Verde to increase its chances of finishing as the top Asian team in the tournament and securing the automatic Olympic qualification.

“Obviously, we’re very, very down. There’s nothing else to say, right? Morale is really low. Our task is to prepare everyone for the next game, and that starts with our mindset and emotional state,” Reyes emphasized.

He concluded by expressing pride in the team’s effort despite the challenging campaign. “I want to say that, as difficult and disappointing as this campaign has been so far, I’m still very proud of the effort. The guys gave their all and fought their best. Unfortunately, things didn’t go our way. All we can do now is focus on the next game. There’s one more game to be played. We’ll prepare as best as we can to put up a fight against China on Saturday.” (ai/mnm)

Angola demonstrated their resilience against basketball powerhouse Italy, giving them a challenging contest before faltering towards the end in their clash during the opening of the FIBA World Cup on Friday.

This is precisely why Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes emphasizes the importance of not underestimating the Angolan team, despite their ranking being just one place lower than the Philippines at 40th.

Gametime is set at 8 p.m. today Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

“Angola possesses considerable strength,” Reyes remarked as he observed the national team’s practice at the Philsports Arena on Saturday. “I’ve always held the belief that Angola constitutes a team of high caliber and quality.”

“We’re not dismissing their potential in any way. Our preparation is thorough and unwavering.”

One of Reyes’ focal points is Angola’s NBA player, Bruno Fernando, who managed to contribute 13 points, in addition to five rebounds, four steals, and two assists against the Italians. Another noteworthy player is Childe Dundao, who emerged as the top scorer for Angola with 19 points, including four successful three-point shots.

“We need to ensure our ability to guard these players effectively, particularly Childe, who possesses notable speed,” Reyes noted.

Furthermore, he stressed the necessity of countering Angola’s aggressive defensive tactics.

“We’ve implemented offensive strategies to effectively respond to that,” Reyes added. (ai/mnm)

MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes admitted on Saturday that the absence of Jordan Clarkson in the crucial stretch towards the end of regulation played a significant role in the Nationals’ initial match debacle against the Dominican Republic.

The star player from the Utah Jazz was called for two quick fouls, with the second resulting in his ejection with slightly over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter with Gilas trailing but a scant three points adrift after team DR bombed away with two successive triples.

Compounded by a five-second inbound violation after that, Gilas never recovered from there and deprived of their primary offensive force, Gilas struggled against the Dominicans led by Karl Anthony-Towns, ultimately falling 87-81.

Reyes mentioned that, given the circumstances, the foul on Clarkson could have been treated more leniently, but he chose not to contest it.

“Discussing Clarkson’s fouling out might lead to fines, but it’s evident to everyone present. With our understanding of basketball, we realize it could have been allowed to slide,” remarked the Gilas coach.

The national team was trailing by a mere 79-76 with over three minutes left before Clarkson was forced to leave the court.

“Regrettably, Jordan’s disqualification dealt us a major setback,” lamented Reyes.

Clarkson visibly expressed his frustration as he sat on the sidelines after his ejection. Nevertheless, he did engage with the media post-game.

“Certain calls didn’t go our way, but that’s part of the game,” he acknowledged.

Clarkson also conveyed his appreciation to the fans who rallied behind them at the Philippine Arena. He admitted feeling disappointed about falling short in the end.

“It’s quite disheartening that we couldn’t secure the victory. Some things didn’t go our way in the closing moments,” he admitted.

Clarkson tallied the game’s highest score with 28 points, albeit on a 9-of-24 shooting performance, before fouling out. He also contributed seven rebounds and seven assists, yet he was also accountable for eight of the Philippines’ 19 turnovers during the game. (ai/mnm)

Gilas Pilipinas is set to kick off its participation in the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament in Guangdong, China against Iran, but it will have to navigate the challenge without some key players.

Notably absent from the lineup are Utah Jazz standout Jordan Clarkson, promising big man Kai Sotto, and Scottie Thompson.

Stepping onto the court for Gilas will be the seasoned duo of June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, who will be taking the lead role. Clarkson will be unavailable due to his scheduled travel from Los Angeles to Manila next week, while Thompson is recovering from a metacarpal fracture in his shooting hand.

The team’s journey begins with a matchup against Iran at the Heyuan Sports gymnasium on Thursday. Despite the absence of some key players, Gilas is aiming to make a strong start in the tournament. Their initial practice took place in the same gym shortly after their arrival in Heyuan.

Standing at 6 feet 10 inches, Fajardo, and the 6-foot-9 Aguilar, bring a wealth of experience to the team, having previously represented the Philippines in the 2014 and 2019 editions of the FIBA World Cup.

In the 2014 FIBA World Cup held in Seville, Spain, both players were instrumental in the Philippine team’s historic victory over Senegal with a score of 81-79 in overtime. This triumph marked the Philippines’ first win on the global stage in over four decades.

Another notable match awaits Gilas as they are set to face Senegal on Friday, renewing their rivalry for the first time since their encounter in 2014.

Amid the unexpected absence of the 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, who was originally slated to be part of the lineup, Gilas coach Chot Reyes remains optimistic about the team’s prospects. He emphasized that the team is in high spirits despite the sudden turn of events involving Sotto’s availability for the China tournament.

Interestingly, Reyes chose not to comment on Sotto’s current status within the Gilas team, focusing instead on the upcoming challenges and the team’s overall outlook.

Kai Sotto FIBA PHOTO

Following the conclusion of Kai Sotto’s NBA Summer League stint with the Orlando Magic, coach Chot Reyes of Gilas Pilipinas expects the towering 7-foot-3 center to join the team’s practice on Tuesday, July 18.

Reyes has been in constant communication with Sotto’s camp, and he confirmed to the Manila Times that the 21-year-old basketball prodigy will be joining the national team after his time in Las Vegas.

Sotto’s arrival comes as a timely boost for Gilas Pilipinas, as they enter the final stages of preparation for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup, scheduled to take place next month.

In his debut game in the NBA Summer League, Sotto displayed a decent performance after being sidelined for three games. He contributed six points, four rebounds, and three blocked shots in 13 minutes of playing time during Orlando’s 88-71 loss to Portland on Friday.

Sotto aims to wrap up his Summer League stint with another appearance on the court when the Magic face off against the Boston Celtics on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

However, it is still uncertain whether Sotto will secure a contract with an NBA team at this stage.

The slender center, who previously played two seasons for the Adelaide 36ers in the Australian NBL, represented Gilas during the fourth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, where the Philippines split their two games.

Sotto had the opportunity to team up with NBA star Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz for the first time in that window, back in August 2022, but Gilas fell short with an 85-81 defeat against Lebanon in Beirut.

Three days later, Gilas Pilipinas bounced back with a dominant performance, crushing Saudi Arabia with an 84-46 victory at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Sotto returned for the fifth window in November, helping Gilas secure a 74-66 win against Jordan, followed by a 76-63 triumph over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah.

During the two FIBA windows he played, the former Ateneo Blue Eaglet averaged 13.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks.

Gilas is scheduled to travel to China for a mini-pocket tournament from August 2-5, as the team finalizes its preparations for the World Cup.

(AI/MNM)