The Philippines will soon enter a new era.
Chot Reyes, the 51-year-old who steered the national team to some of the biggest moments in its history, has decided not to continue as coach.
With the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas looking at the make-up of the national side ahead of their qualifying campaign for the 2016 Olympics and Reyes having fallen out of favor after a seventh-place finish at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, he has elected not to put his name up for consideration as coach.
“I humbly request that my name would not be considered by the Committee as a candidate for the national team coach of Smart Gilas Pilipinas,” he said in a statement.
“This will allow the Committee to do its work unencumbered, take a broader view of other potential candidates to this national job, and enable the Gilas program to move on unfettered.
“Indeed, it is time for someone else take over the wheel; it is time for me to hand over that wheel.”
Under Reyes, the Philippines finished runners-up at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship in Manila and booked a spot in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
At the tournament in Seville, Spain, Gilas played in one close game after another but did not win until they faced Senegal, and the 1-4 record was not good enough to progress to the Round of 16.
Reyes then came under fire as the Philippines struggles at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
The team did not have their best player, however, with their naturalized center from the United States, Andray Blatche, not allowed to take part in the competition.
Blatche had averaged 21.8 points and 13.8 rebounds per game at the World Cup.
His absence did not spare Reyes any criticism.
Jimmy Alapag, one of the most famous players in the Gilas program, says that Reyes should be remembered for having done a wonderful job and not the losses this year, especially those in Incheon.
“I think the judgment on what happened each game was a little unfair considering the overall success of the program,” Alapag said.
“Coach made a decision on his own so as a player, as a friend, you have to support it.
“He definitely leaves big shoes to fill for the Gilas program.”
Tab Baldwin, who shot to fame as New Zealand’s coach at the 2002 FIBA World Championshipand has worked as a consultant to the Reyes-led Gilas, is understood to be a candidate for the position.
He said of the criticism aimed at Reyes: “I think it’s unfortunate for Gilas because Chot meant a lot to the players.
“He was very significant in terms of the performances and the success this summer.”
Reyes stressed in his statement that he is going to have fond memories.
“May I say that I have dedicated the past two years serving the national team to the best of my ability,” he said.
“I have personally derived great pride and much satisfaction for the strides the Gilas program has taken – with the collective effort of everyone involved in the effort.
“Despite the intense pressure that came with the job and the public scrutiny that goes with being the national coach, this job has always been a unique privilege – I wouldn’t trade it (the experience) for anything else.”
