Philippines’s coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes (C) reacts after his team wins the men’s basketball final against Cambodia at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Phnom Penh on May 16, 2023. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes fired back at Cambodian coach Harry Savaya for his comments after the gold meal match of the men’s 5×5 basketball tournament in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
After the Philippines regained the gold medal with an 80-69 win over Cambodia, Savaya was quick to comment on Reyes’ coaching technique.
In fact, Savaya even offered to “teach” the PBA champion coach how to coach better.
“He blamed the weather, he blamed everything, he blamed the players. I don’t do that. I can teach him—if he wants—about coaching. In Europe, everywhere, the places he’s never been,” Savaya said of Reyes.
It took a few days, but Reyes finally entertained the comments in an episode of One News’ The Big Story.
“I think he got affected by the heat. I think he’s still hallucinating up until now,” Reyes said in jest.
The Gilas mentor, however, clarified that he did not blame anyone but was instead stating facts.
“I think he said that because when we lost, the media asked me what my comments were and I said we didn’t have the real Justin Brownlee because he suffered from severe dehydration […] I never blamed the players, I just stated the facts,” told Reyes.
“In this condition, it was a fact and everyone was talking about it, every other coach and player.”
LAST LAUGH
Cambodia’s coach Harry Savaya (L) speaks with his player Pridgett Sayeedalkabir (R) the men’s basketball final against the Philippines during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Phnom Penh on May 16, 2023. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)
The tension between Savaya and Reyes began when Cambodia defeated the Philippines, 79-68, in the SEA Games preliminary round.
In that game, Savaya triggered the Gilas Pilipinas bench “night night” gesture as he called a time with the game already decided.
Still, Reyes concluded his short and sweet answer by saying they had the last laugh over the Cambodian team and Savaya.
“We had the last laugh. Other than that, I don’t want to comment on the coaching.”
