Manny V. Pangilinan not giving up on Chot, Gilas program

INCHEON, South Korea—Faced with bashing from basketball fans, national coach Chot Reyes received a show of support from the most important supporter of Gilas Pilipinas.

In a series of tweets early Monday morning, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chief and tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan congratulated the entire team, including its beleaguered coach, despite what has been described as a debacle in the basketball competition of the 17th Asian Games here.

“Chot, to each and all of you my deep personal gratitude for what Gilas has accomplished—in Manila last yr and in Spain and Korea this yr.,” read Pangilinan’s tweet over his official account @iamMVP.

The Philippines missed the semifinals and was to play China in a classification-round game after going 1-2 in the quarterfinals and failing to pile up the needed winning margin in a 67-65 win over Kazakhstan that would have advanced the team to the Final Four.

“Quite a journey w/ its peaks and valleys; the road has been long and tough, the climb steep, the obstacles formidable from the get go,” another Pangilinan tweet said.

“We report our results in Korea ‘heads bowed in sadness but not in shame.’ That said we take pride in all that Gilas has reached thus far.”

Reyes bore the brunt of Gilas’ failures in the quadrennial Games in this nippy port city, with angry fans seeking his resignation. The mercurial coach, however, has said he will leave his future up to management but hopes that the Gilas program will continue.

“The players may not be the same, the coach may not be the same but I hope the program continues,” Reyes said Sunday at Hwaseong Sports Complex gymnasium after the game against Kazakhstan.

“If they ask me to continue, I’m committed.”