Chot withdraws name from next Gilas coach race

MANILA, Philippines – As the Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) screening and selection committee convenes this week for their initial candidates for the next national team coach, Chot Reyes withdrew his name from the race.

Reyes made the stunning announcement on his Twitter account (@coachot) Monday noon.

"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,” Reyes said on his long tweet.

Reyes added that 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.”

The former Gilas Pilipinas mentor drew flak for the team’s seventh place finish in the last Asian Games, the worst by the country in the history of the quadrennial games.

Reyes, however, did his fair share of uplifting the country’s basketball program. Under his leadership, the team won the Jones Cup title two years ago making him the only Filipino coach to achieve the feat. American coaches Ron Jacobs and Tim Cone were the only other Phl national team coaches who have nailed the Jones Cup title in the past.

Reyes and his Gilas Pilipinas team became the toast of the nation following a silver medal finish in the FIBA Asia Men’s Championship that earned them a trip back to the world championships since 1978.

Reyes also led Gilas to a bronze medal finish at the expense of host team China in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup before leading the team to an improbable run in the FIBA World Cup that culminated with an overtime victory over Senegal, the country’s first win in the world stage in 40 years.  

“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,” Reyes added.

Despite receiving the brunt of backlash for their ill-fated Asiad campaign, Reyes still relishes his second opportunity as national head coach and was grateful for everyone who have supported him and the team.

“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,” Reyes said. “Salamat, Gilas. Salamat, Pilipinas. Mabuhay tayong lahat. Laban Pilipinas! PUSO!"