MVP lauds Phl 5, backs coach Chot

MANILA, Philippines - Despite the letdown in the Asian Games, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan yesterday took pride in what Gilas Pilipinas has accomplished in its tough journey.

Pangilinan also gave coach Chot Reyes his full support in the face of criticisms thrown his way following the bungled gold medal drive in Incheon.

“Tough job, this coaching. Especially international. All the world’s eyes on you, especially FIBA,” Pangilinan posted on his Twitter account @iamMVP.

The SBP chief has stood by Reyes’ actions throughout the Asiad, including his widely-criticized benching of naturalized player Marcus Douthit during their losing game against Korea, reported veteran scribe Ronnie Nathanielsz.

“Chot was right in benching Douthit,” Nathanielsz quoted Pangilinan in his blog “For the Record” on Yahoo! Philippines yesterday.

Reyes put Douthit in the freezer “for quitting on the team” in the preceding game against Qatar, another losing match.

Pangilinan saluted Gilas for its efforts from the Fiba Asia last year to the Fiba World Cup and the Asiad.

“Chot, to each and all of you my deep personal gratitude for what Gilas has accomplished – in Manila last year and in Spain and Korea this year,” he said.

Pangilinan said he is reporting the Asiad result with “heads bowed in sadness but not in shame.”

“That said, we take pride and satisfaction in all that Gilas have reached thus far,” he said.

“(It has been) quite a journey with its peaks and valleys; the road has been long and tough, the climb steep and the obstacles formidable even from the get go.

“We may have fallen short of all we desired to gift to our people after years of desolation, but all of you persevered,” he said.

Moving forward, Pangilinan said the next mission is the 2016 Olympics.

“The Asian Games are now done; it is time to look ahead and plan for the FBA Asia competition next year in China, the winner of which qualifies for the 2016 Brazil Olympics.

“We must stay focused on our goal, and neither despair nor get deterred by the letdown in the Asian Games,” he said.