CHOT REYES could be the most hated man in Philippine sports following the national men’s team’s loss to Indonesia that cost the country its most important gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games—the men’s basketball mint.
But speaking to BusinessMirror while the final batch of athletes and officials waited for their flight back home on Sunday night at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Reyes readily accepted the responsibility for the setback and left his fate to his mother national sports association, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
“I serve at the pleasure of the SBP,” Reyes said. “I did not apply nor volunteered for this job, I was appointed.”
He added: “I don’t work for the bashers or for the haters. My mandate is to prepare the best team for the World Cup 2023.”
The country losing the overall championship in terms of gold medals won was expected, its effect a bitter pill the 900-plus Team Philippines gamely swallowed. But not the men’s basketball gold medal.
Indonesia came well prepared, its homework done and efficiently executed under Serbian Rajko Toroman, Reyes predecessor at the Gilas program, and dealt the pro-laden Philippine team an 81-85 beating rarely seen in SEA Games basketball.
He expressed respect to the Indonesian team.
“I gave my best and we took the worst with the best,” he said. “It’s a deep sadness and disappointment.”
Reyes admitted bashing has been part of his task as head coach of the national team.
“I win, I’m basked. I lose, I’m bashed, but I worry more about my family,” he said, “they’re getting bashed, too.”
He said the Vietnam SEA Games campaign is part of the overall bid to compete strongly in next year’s International Basketball Federation World Cup where the Philippines is the lead host.
“I was appointed to coach the team leading to the 2023 World Cup, and this [SEA Games] is a part of it, so let’s not lose sight of the big picture, and there’s also the FIBA Asia Cup in August in Indonesia.”
Will he resign?
“That’s one of the options, which is to step aside,” he said. “But it’s not my call to make because I serve at the pleasure of those who appointed me.”