Thank You Chot

Coach Chot: Fashion
and basketball-forward

We all have a disliking for outgoing Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters head coach Chot Reyes be it his maddening borderline metrosexual fashion sense, the way he carries himself like most Ateneans (you know this via that cocky, sense of self-entitlement/ "better than you" demeanor) or the way he complains to the referees and milks every single call that doesn't favor his beloved team.

But beyond all that douchery, from a strictly basketball sense, there's been no one quite like Coach Chot in the last two to three years. He has effectively redeemed himself from a disappointing stint with the Philippine National Team a few years ago. Working his ass off day and night to augment his coaching philosophies by virtue of playing a relentless, run and gun style that shares the wealth among his superstar-laden roster which is easier said than done.

Haters are going to point out that the Texters string of titles were a byproduct more of the superstar caliber names on the roster rather than Coach Chot's coaching. Well, if that were the case, then the Petron Blaze Boosters should've also been winning just as much. Ditto with the loaded yet always under the radar Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings who still try to call themselves "underdogs" to this very day.

Not so easy now is it? Just ask Coach Ato and Coach Siot.

Under Coach Chot, players such as Ranidel de Ocampo, Jayson Castro and Larry Fonacier were able to make a name for themselves in the pros. RDO was always "good" and a borderline superstar, but Coach Chot turned all that potential dominance into reality and backed it up with multiple title romps that helped establish the Caviteno into one of the league's best-- if not THE best at the power forward position today. Same with Castro, who had to learn the PBA style of play and not just rely on his otherworldly speed and athleticism.

Now that he's all set to move on and handle the operations for the SMART Gilas Men's Basketball National Team, we should all root for his success. This is a guy who wasn't, isn't afraid to dream big and step into the huge shoes of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman. Rumors have it that Coach Chot was always after Coach Rajko's job, and that Coach Chot was to blame for the crucial FIBA qualifier loss because of a botched defensive scheme-- but the guy is 100% Filipino, is 2nd only to Coach Tim Cone in number of PBA titles won among active coaches, and should be given the benefit of a doubt.

Winning, pushing his players night in and night out to perform, given all the egos in the locker room, the talent that he needs to hold back from time to time in favor of team play (unfortunately for the likes of Jarred Dillinger)-- these are just some of the pressures that Coach Chot handles and carries in stride. He throws a lot of his players under the bus-- publicly even-- but that's just his way of motivating them and letting his displeasure known via the media.

People see it as him putting the blame on others, this writer sees it as a measure of self-accountability and not covering up for professional players who are being paid to do what they do best. In hindsight, it protects us from seeing guys underperform. Had Willie Miller been on the Texters' roster, Coach Chot would've been calling him out for the lazy, uninspired veteran he often plays as.

Next season, Coach Norman Black of the Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles will step in to coach the Texters and hope to extend their winning tradition. Don't expect Black to wear the loud shirts, but expect him to develop players such as Japeth Aguilar (if he isn't traded first) and work with his guards defensively. It would be a scary and interesting thought to see if he can reach out to Aguilar and turn him into the athletic dominant center we've all hoped for him since day one.

As for Coach Chot, we wish him nothing but the best and hope that he is able to build on what SMART Gilas I has accomplished internationally. All the funding that he could dream of is already there, the names (thought not all of the guys on his wishlist were brought in no thanks to the Silent War) and the coaching staff (Ryan Gregorio, Jong Uichico, Black among others), now it's all time for us to forget being loyal and die-hard PBA fans and root for his and the National Team's success.

Thank you Coach Chot, God bless and good luck! Laban Pilipinas!