After booking World Cup ticket, Chot Reyes tells Gilas Pilipinas haters: ‘I forgive you’ Being the coach the Philippine national men’s basketball team is a tough challenge for anyone, not least because of all the criticism that come from the millions of fans in the country. Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes was in tears after a victory over South Korea in the semifinals of the FIBA Asia Championship gave the team a ticket to next year’s Basketball World Cup. “That was just the outburst of all of the emotions, all of the heartaches, all of the haters,” he said. “I’m offline but those close to me told me that even up to last night, there were still people saying that last night’s win [against Kazakhstan] was Gilas’ last hurrah. ‘Hindi na ulit mananalo yan. Wala yan. Chamba lang.’” It was Reyes’ second stint as coach of the national team, and he admitted that he had second thoughts about taking on the job. “In 2007, it was a really really bad experience where we didn’t even get to the quarterfinals. And I had really said that that was it for me,” said Reyes, adding it was Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manuel V. Pangilinan who convinced him to take over the Gilas program. At the time, Reyes was coach of Pangilinan’s Talk ‘N Text squad in the PBA. “When Mr. Pangilinan spoke to me about coaching the national team again, I had to think long and hard, talk to my wife and family, if we would subject ourselves to that entire thing again. But in the end, I said if I don’t do it, I’ll always look at myself in the mirror and say ‘What if?’ If I did it, and I failed, then at least I could say that I tried. I couldn’t accept thinking what if.” In the end, the return of the Philippines to the world stage served as validation for Reyes, who addressed critics of his coaching and his program. “To all of my haters and to all the skeptics, I say, God bless you, I forgive you, and mabuhay ang Pilipinas.” -TIMRR9
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 23:13:52 +0000
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