RP 5 pool pretty solid, Chot agrees

The 14-man national pool drafted by coach Yeng Guiao also got fair assessment from former national coach Chot Reyes.

“It’s pretty solid, representing the best in the PBA right now,” said Reyes, the man who called the shots for the RP team in the most recent FIBA Asia championship held in Tokushima, Japan last year.

“There’s very little question in my mind on who should be there and who shouldn’t. The little question is already the prerogative of the coach,” Reyes added.

The Talk n Text mentor couldn’t say whether there’s improvement from the lineup he formed for the Tokushima joust.

“It’s hard to tell. The proof is how well they’ll play,” said Reyes. “I’m hesitant to speak with authority and conviction because I haven’t seen them play. I want to see how they play and how they interact with each other.”

In his own evaluation, coach Jong Uichico believed Guiao has covered all the bases with the group he formed.

Reyes agreed in going through the list one by one.

“Yes, man for man. But we don’t really know what’s to be covered until we see them play. Once they start playing, we’ll see if there are loopholes,” said Reyes.

Uichico and Reyes are part of the Guiao’s advisory council that also includes other past RP coaches Robert Jaworski, Norman Black and Tim Cone.

The group reiterated their full support to Guiao in a meeting Tuesday night in a posh restaurant in Shangri-La Plaza.

The list is made up of Tokushima joust veterans Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Kerby Raymundo, Kelly Williams, Gabe Norwood, Jayjay Helterbrand, Tokushima reserves James Yap and Ranidel de Ocampo and new faces Willie Miller, Cyrus Baguio, Sonny Thoss, Arwind Santos, Ryan Reyes and Jared Dillinger.