Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 11) – Former Ateneo Blue Eagles and current Japan B.League standouts Dwight Ramos and Thirdy Ravena expressed their excitement on being coached for the first time by veteran Gilas Pilipinas mentor Chot Reyes.
Reyes returned as the national men’s basketball team head coach earlier this month, in preparation for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers from Feb. 24 to 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I was excited to see him as a coach and everything so I’m loving it so far. Coach Chot is one of the best coaches here in the Philippines of course, so it’s just – you know I’m happy to be under him,” Ramos told CNN Philippines Sports Desk on Friday.
Ramos is one of the six Gilas cadets called up for the training pool for the upcoming FIBA World Cup qualifying matches.
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Ravena – who returned home on Wednesday – emphasized adjustment is the key for him to get comfortable with Reyes’ coaching system.
The San-En NeoPhoenix star said his adjustment period will be easier this time, considering his former Ateneo de Manila University teammates Ramos, naturalized player Ange Kouame, and Will Navarro are also part of the Gilas training pool.
“I’ve been with them for the past couple of years, that’s a different system and a different coach. So I think adjusting to that – it’s our challenge right now with the dribble drive and meshing with the other players as well,” said Ravena, who hopes to have good team chemistry with TNT Tropang Giga players who will be selected by Reyes for the FIBA World Cup qualifying games.
Ravena said Reyes is a good fit for the Gilas roster – attributing his qualities as a coach on and off the court.
“He likes to bond with the players, he likes the players to bond with each other so talagang nafi-feel mo yung fighting spirit pag naglalaro kayo (you can feel the fighting spirit if you’re playing). You wanna play on the court for him because you know he’s doing his all during the game so that’s kind of coach that he is,” Ravena explained.
Gilas will face South Korea twice on Feb. 24 and 28. They will then battle India on Feb. 25 and New Zealand on Feb. 27 during the five-day basketball conclave.
