The "Other" Ginebra Big Man

Ginebra has another big man in tow
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

The first time I saw JayR Reyes, now of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, was at the 3rd year high school prom of one of my exes. The first thing everyone noticed was how insanely tall the guy was as compared to the rest of the evening’s escorts/ dates (myself included and back then I stood a lanky 5”10). From then on I decided to keep an eye out for the guy in case he makes it big in the sport that I love (because, in a world of sports blogger hopefuls, who doesn't).

Because, really now, how many 6”5 and up high school kids living in Manila back in the day were not part of some basketball program?

The next time I heard about Reyes, or got to see him play was when he suited up for the U.P. Fighting Maroons. He was raw as hell, but was in pretty good, athletic shape for a guy his size. He could run with the forwards so that’s a plus moving forward to a possible career in the professional ranks.



So after playing for the Welcoat franchise in the Philippine Basketball League and being its token “direct hire” (alongside wasted talents Jay Sagad and Jun Jun Cabatu) when the franchise entered the Philippine Basketball Association in 2006, Reyes was expected to be the “Next Kerby Raymundo” given his size, speed and athleticism.

What happened in his career in the next five year though was nothing short of confusing. Was he a center because he stood 6”7? Was he a hybrid forward because he had some range? Why did he take a total of 211 three point only to connect on 58?

What position does JayR Reyes want to play in the PBA? What position SHOULD he play in the PBA?

It took being traded to Alaska in 2011 for Reyes to finally be able to realize where he can be most useful to any team. From 34 attempts from the three point line (which was down from an eye-popping 87), Reyes only dared to shoot outside five times. He was traded to Meralco the following season and he continued operating more and more in the pivot as a help defender and legit post big man rather than a confused, moonlighting hybrid forward (like a grounded, non-flying pre-2013 Japeth Aguilar).

Now looking to build on his new, "post man" reputation, Reyes needs to work on his strength, rebounding and weak side/ low post positioning if only to stay on the floor alongside Ginebra's pillars for the future Aguilar and rookie Greg Slaughter. Reyes was off to a good start playing behind the Gilas duo on opening day Sunday, let's see where his "new" journey goes from here.