The career announcement made by Gilas coach Chot Reyes on Wednesday goes down as one of the most heartwarming of the Christmas season.
It’s so rich in Christian humility.
Reyes announced he’s stepping out of basketball for good, thereby regaining the respect of critics, fans and those who have backed his successful mission to bring back Philippine basketball onto the world stage.
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Reyes definitely had to wrestle hard with his heart and conscience before deciding to cut a 30-year-old love affair with basketball.
His honesty and courage to leave the game will be a tough act to follow.
He, in the process, also humbly agreed to be stripped of self-importance.
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What mattered most here, of course, was the tremendous feat which saw Reyes taking on a life-consuming challenge, going for a goal that had seemed unreachable at the start.
He did his best and gave his all, never for a moment hesitating or stepping back.
If to a prizefighter, he was no less than Manny Pacquiao, who fought all those he had to face, no matter how daunting the threat.
A salute to you Sir Chot, may you have all the luck and success in your new undertaking.
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Meanwhile, out there in the United States, the unbeaten world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. continued to be vilified for his hysterical evasiveness in trying to avoid a fight with Pacquiao.
Unlike Reyes who has regained admiration and respect at home, Mayweather has been accused of engaging in the business of cowardice in his own homeland.
Please listen to the legendary Oscar De La Hoya: “Yes, absolutely, Pacquiao is the more respected. Why? Because he has been in wars. There’s no doubt about that. With Manny, they’re going to say ‘Wow, he fought all these guys, fought tough battles.’”
De La Hoya said Pacquiao is universally the more respected fighter because courage “is a matter that matters most.”
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(WONDERFUL DOC: While rushing this column, word came that Dr. Bobby Magsino of Lipa City has got gift packages prepared by the Mediatrix Medical Center Good Samaritan Foundation for the annual mission of bringing joy to farmer families in Pangao, Lipa City. The affair is set on Dec. 27 in a simple tree-lined farm in Purok 4, Pangao. Salamat po.)