 |
| Chot Reyes SMART Gilas 2 Head Coach |
It’s official.
After months of speculation (media and fans) and preparation (for those directly involved), Chot Reyes has officially been named head coach of the SMART Gilas Men’s Basketball program. Succeeding Serbian Rajko Toroman, this will be Reyes 2nd time at the helm after a disastrous 2007 campaign wherein the country finished 9th in the FIBA-Asia.
Reyes will be vacating his post as multi-titled coach at Talk ‘n’ Text to give way to Norman Black of Ateneo de Manila University after the UAAP season (can’t let anything get in the way of that elusive five-peat now).
And while this writer would’ve preferred to have Black take over for Toroman, it’s hard to argue against Reyes who has done nothing since 2007 but win PBA titles one after the other. Also, Manny V. Pangilinin and his team have been (quietly) voicing out a “Filipino First” policy lately to appease fans with Reyes’ selection.
Once the announcement was officially made, some people raised eyebrows and started spewing fire against the flashy-colored/patterned long sleeves wearing coach. It wasn’t an attack on Reyes’ coaching, but more on his brash, unapologetic--- uhm, true blue Atenean (?) personality.
He hangs peers and players out to dry. He likes being the center of attention. His shirts are a visual display of his need to be the star and not his players. He gets called for dumb infractions during the game. He didn’t mind being the face of the SMART All Stars visit, almost telling everyone that “Yes HE did. HE brought them here.”
This writer’s question is—why is there anything wrong with that? Why do people hate on a guy who revolutionized local coaching (from both a fashion and gameplay sense) and seeks to be better than the competition? We love seeing it in players, that competitive, superstar aura—but we scorn at coaches who display the same thing albeit in their own manner?
Yes, Reyes was at fault during that bungled match in the recent FIBA-Asia tournament. Yes, he made the call to change the defensive set. And yes, it went from being a manageable deficit to an ass-whooping out of the medal race.
But what if it worked? What if we won?
Ever the unapologetic, Reyes went on with his life and coached his PBA team to a title injuries and incidents aside. His team went from high flying, run and gun to a slow-paced, half court team before getting his guys back healthy in the Finals and back to their preferred, "attack, attack and yeah attack from all angles" style while still playing tenacious defense.
He is not the coach that Philippine basketball needs (Black is a worthier candidate being a student and teacher of the game), but he is the one who is brave enough to take the lead—praises, criticisms and all.
Granted, the “Reyes Redemption Tour” might have started as early as post FIBA-Asia 2007, but things are looking up for the country’s chances now more than ever with a united basketball organization as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the full support of both amateur and professional leagues.
Oh, and Coach Chot, no more Chris Tius this time please? Let’s ball.
One nation. One dream.
I don't like Chot mainly because he always tries to portray his team as having to go the extra mile to win, plays through injuries, not being a clear favorite, etc. And when he loses, he calls out a player who did poorly, under the guise of motivational tool. Fact is, his team, TNT is easily 10 deep, has the best 3 guard line-up in Alapag, Castro and R.Reyes. He SHOULD be winning. I would be more impressed if he did a Pat Riley, and predicted a championship, and made no excuses if he didn't.
ReplyDelete