Thank you Chot

#ThankYouChot
(Photo lifted from Twitter)

I was never a fan of Vincent "Chot" Reyes.

Personally, he's just not a guy I think I could hang with-- based on his "TV personality." He is fashionable at a fault, back when he was still coaching in the PBA en route to a 5x PBA Coach of the Year award (that he reminds every person who visits his Twitter page). To me, his loud shirts took away from the game. Not that he is not entitled to wear his bright, colorful, fashionista ensemble to the SMART Araneta Coliseum or MOA Arena or wherever, but it came off as a bit of a distraction really.

Then there's his nonchalant attitude. Maybe it's because I was brought up by a rival school. There's just something about the way he talks I guess.

Is he misunderstood? Probably. Most likely.

Is he correct in constantly throwing his own players under the bus out in public? Couldn't he address the matter behind closed doors?

The players that he calls out have relatives you know. And despite the player-coach relationship that people keep raving/ranting about-- well, let's just say that if someone famous were to say that you, as a basketball player, plays soft, and the media eats it all up-- how do you think that player's family and friends would respond? And how do you think they would go about their relationship, with that offended player?

There are things that I don't like about the man. There was an international tournament, not so long ago that he was coaching wherein we were called for a technical bench foul during a crucial stretch of the game. He received a lot of backlash for it. A certain PBA commentator then went on record that the coach told him to tell every one that the costly technical was not called on that coach, but on one of his personnel. As if to indirectly tell every one-- hey, it's not my fault, it's that other dude's!

His fault, not mine.

There are other things that I don't like about him. Or maybe it's just a difference in opinion.

But there are things that I respect him for. That I feel that the country needs to thank him for.

Recently, he pulled out of the next coaching search (click here),

People called for his head for the disastrous and drama-filled Asian Games 2014 run.

But then you forget that just before that, he led the team to a victory in the FIBA World Cup wherein no one gave us any chance in hell to even stay close to the Western teams--powerhouses or not.

And even before that, he steered the team to a medal finish in the FIBA Asia Champion's Cup. And the FIBA Asia Silver, Jones Cup titles-- among other respectable finishes this side of the world.

So to not give him his due, to say that he didn't get the job done or that one bad finish should decide his entire Gilas Pilipinas Legacy?

Chot Reyes did his job, with what little he had. Remember this?

Do you honestly believe that your beloved Purefoods Star Hotshots would've won a grand slam title, had James Yap, PJ Simon, Mark Barroca (and if eligible) Joe DeVance were on loan to Gilas?

Or that Greg Slaughter would've been off to win PBA Rookie of the Year to catapult him into greatness if he were playing full time for Gilas?

Hell, maybe San Miguel wouldn't have gone through the whole "Petronovela" phase had Chot Reyes been given the guys that he felt was needed for Gilas? Who knows?

Imagine how far we could've gone had every one been able to play for Gilas?

TWO teams. TWO Gilas Pilipinas teams could've been assembled. One for the FIBA World Cup, a reward to the men who brought us there, and Grade A reinforcements for the Asian Games who are fresh and raring to prove themselves as well.

So don't blame Chot Reyes or tell him that he didn't do a good job.

The man did a great job. With maybe only four or five of the PBA's absolute best players position-wise.

Should he reconsider? Once every one is on the same page and guys are made available? Sure. He deserves it. But he doesn't have to. He shouldn't be compelled to do so. He doesn't need to coach the next "Gilas" team. He's done his part and more-- as coach, mentor, marketer-- you name it.

Thank you Chot.