Cambodia coach Harry Savaya during their game against Gilas Pilipinas in the SEA Games 2023. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Ariya Kurniawan | Instagram @ariyakurniawan16
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes had very little to say about the shouting match between the Philippines and host Cambodia shortly after their Southeast Asian Games contest on Thursday night.
Members of Gilas Pilipinas were seen confronting members of the opposing team and its head coach Harry Savaya towards the end of the 79-68 loss at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh.
“I just want to be polite. You all saw what happened. It’s not even [about] coaching ethics—just ethics, right?” Reyes told reporters as he shook his head in disappointment.
“If the other coach wanted to make a fool out of himself, that’s on him. It’s not our problem. You all saw what happened,” he went on.
Gilas Pilipinas in the SEA Games 2023. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Ariya Kurniawan | Instagram @ariyakurniawan16
Savaya made several taunts directed at the Gilas bench all game long, some of them seen live during the game’s streaming on YouTube.
But the kicker, it turned out, was his timeout with the outcome of the game already beyond doubt.
Footages on the ground showed Gilas assistant coach Tim Cone, skipper Chris Ross and a number of Gilas players engaging Savaya as they made their way out of the playing court.
“I don’t need to comment on that. His actions will say a lot more about him and his character than I can ever say,” Reyes said.
