Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 1) — Chot Reyes is back as head coach of the men’s national basketball team, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced on Monday.
Reyes, a five-time Philippine Basketball Association Coach of the Year awardee, will take over Gilas Pilipinas beginning Feb. 1. He will replace Tab Baldwin who stepped down from his post “to focus on his responsibilities to the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team” as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 nears, the SBP said.
The sport association explained the delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to an overlap in schedules of the upcoming UAAP Season and the preparations for the FIBA World Cup 2023 Qualifiers.
“It will be an honor to serve the country again,” Reyes said. “It is a big challenge pero hindi ko matatalikuran ang tawag ng bayan (but I cannot turn my back on the country’s call).”
In 2013, the Reyes-mentored Gilas squad edged their rivals in that year’s FIBA Asia Championships semifinals held at the Mall of Asia Arena. The victory led to the Filipinos’ return to the 2014 FIBA World Cup after a 36-year absence in the prestigious basketball tilt.
“Chot is the sensible choice to take over Gilas coaching because he is very familiar with the program. He also has solid experience in international competition and FIBA games,” said SBP chairman emeritus Manuel Pangilinan.
The SBP also said it respects Baldwin’s decision and thanked him “for his valuable contributions to the Gilas program.”
