Chot Reyes asks not to be included in new Gilas coach shortlist

Chot Reyes. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Chot Reyes has requested the Samahang Basketbol Pilipinas on Monday to not include his name in the shortlist for the next head coach of the Philippine men’s national basketball team.

The SBP recently formed a search and screening committee in charge to look for Gilas Pilipinas’ next head coach after the governing body announced the disbandment of the team in a board meeting.

“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 in a statement. “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.”

“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 steered Gilas to a Jones Cup title in 2012 and a historic Fiba Asia Championship stint the following year where the country booked a ticket back to the Fiba World Cup in Spain. He also guided the team to a bronze medal finish in the 2014 Fiba Asia Cup in China.

But Reyes took the flak after Gilas slumped to its worst ever finish in the Asian Games last September that prompted the SBP to disband 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,” the statement read.

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

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