Ryan Reyes (left) sings the national anthem along with his Gilas Pilipinas teammates. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Many questioned Ryan Reyes’ inclusion in the national team pool. Some wondered how long will it take before he gets cut.
But there’s a reason why Reyes was considered. In fact, Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin can attest to it. And on Wednesday night, in a nationally televised game against an Asian rival in Iran, he showed everyone he belonged.
Reyes, the veteran TNT guard, silenced his critics with a resounding performance, scoring all of his 12 points from the three-point area to help the Philippines beat Iran in a tuneup game at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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One could make a case that his showing may have sealed his spot in the final 14-man lineup, but the way Baldwin sounded in the post-game press conference, it was as if Reyes’ was already a cinch for a slot.
“Ryan is just a guy I really like a lot,” Baldwin admitted after Gilas’ 81-70 win over Iran in a tuneup.
“I think he understands my confidence in him. He plays very comfortably with me. That was no mistake, no fluke that he started. I’m very confident in Ryan,” added Baldwin, who fielded Reyes in the starting lineup.
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Reyes’ value is usually seen on the defensive end of the floor, but he proved he’s a two-way player by making 4-of-5 from long range.
“It just felt good today, so I just kept shooting,” Reyes said. “These guys were giving me the ball and I was open, so I just threw it up there.”
Reyes’ steady outside touch couldn’t have come at a better time with Gilas missing two of its best three-point shooters in Jeff Chan and Marcio Lassiter due to health issues.
“Hopefully they come back,” said Reyes. “I’m praying for quick healing for those guys. But like coach said, this is a free-willing offense.”
“He lets everyone take the shot if they’re open. If it’s a good shot, you might not get another good look like that, especially against guys that are tall and long and fast.”
But as part of a star-studded team, Reyes understands what his role is and where he’s best known for.
“I’m going to continue to play the defense that I play,” said Reyes, a four-time PBA All-Defensive team member. “There’s a lot of adjustment. These guys are a lot quicker, bigger, and you just got to be aware at all times.”
The 6-foot-2 Reyes made the 14-man lineup, announced by Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio early Thursday morning, just hours after the tuneup.
“I think he’s one of the best players you that can have out on the floor in any situation,” Baldwin said. “He’s intelligent, he’s defensively tough, he’s physically very tough and when he’s hitting shots, then you have the best of both worlds with him.”