Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes. FILE PHOTO
INCHEON, South Korea—Faced with bashing from basketball fans, national coach Chot Reyes got a show of support from the most important hoop supporter of Gilas Pilipinas.
In a series of tweets posted early Monday morning, basketball federation 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 competitions here in the 17th Asian Games.
“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).” read Pangilinan’s tweet over his official account @iamMVP.
The Philippines finished out of 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 victory over Kazakhstan that would have advanced the team to the Final 4.
“Quite a journey (with) its peaks and valleys; the road has been long and tough, the climb steep, the obstacles formidable from the get go”
“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 Pilipinas’ failures in the quadrennial meet in this nippy port city, with angered fans seeking resignation. The mercurial coach, however, has said he will leave his future up to management but hopes that the Gilas program will continue despite hitting a speed bump.
“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 Complyex gymnasium after the game against Kazakhstan. “If they ask me to continue, I’m committed.”
And it seems like Pangilinan is dead set on continuing the program.
“We must stay focused on our goal, and neither despair nor get deterred by the letdown in the Asian Games,” he tweeted. “The Asian Games are now done. Time to look ahead; plan for Fiba Asia next (year) in China, the winner qualifies for the 2016 Olympics,” Pangilinan said.
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