Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers

Chot Reyes disappointed with SMART Gilas’ dismal tune-up with Alab


For the first time since SMART Gilas Pilipinas’ resumption of practices, head coach Chot Reyes had finally granted an interview with the media. Unfortunately though, the 54-year-old tactician did not announce any good news.

The veteran internationalist was an image of disappointment on Saturday afternoon, as SMART Gilas shockingly lost to ASEAN Basketball League club team Tanduay Alab Pilipinas in a tune-up game, 81-76, at the Meralco Gym.

“Well we sucked big time,” Reyes said bluntly, moments after the friendly, which happened behind closed doors and with tightened security measures.

“If we play like this we better not even go to Japan. We have no chance.

“No positives at all,” he added, “credit to Alab — they came in, they were very prepared. They outplayed us, they outfought us, they out-hustled us, they out-shot us. I can’t think of one positive thing in today’s ball game.”

The tune-up was a tight affair all throughout, but it was a different story come the game’s closing minutes, as SMART Gilas failed to recover from a 77-71 lag with 2:38 left to play — a deficit they should be able to wipe out, given their caliber.

And that is what irked the outspoken mentor the most — the way the flag-bearers performed in the end-game, which saw them miss shots and commit miscues from both ends of the floor.

“Sa nilaro namin ngayon para kaming ‘di marunong mag-basketball,” quipped Reyes. “‘Di kami maka-shoot, di kami maka-depensa, di kami maka-rebound.

“Like I said, kung ganito lalaruin natin huwag na tayong pumunta ng Japan.”

After Saturday’s session, SMART Gilas will now spend three days in Tagaytay next week as part of their preparations for the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, which will start on November 24 against Japan.

#ReadMore  More than Gilas return, Jordan Heading relishes 'home debut'

With that, Reyes hopes that that Tagaytay trip will help the national cagers correct all the flaws need to be corrected.

“We better find a way to fix that. Hopefully we have enough time. Yun ang kailangan natin ayusin, even before namin isipin ang Japan.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.




You May Also Like

Basketball

History repeated itself as San Miguel denied TNT a shot at PBA immortality by capturing the Season 49 Philippine Cup title following a 107-96...

Basketball

TNT kept its hopes alive as it stopped San Miguel from clinching the championship after grinding out an 86-78 victory in Game 5 of...

Basketball

Jericho Cruz and CJ Perez delivered their best showings in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals to date as San Miguel pummeled TNT,...

Basketball

TNT head coach Chot Reyes is doing what he can to keep his wards composed as the injury bug once again plagues the traditional...

Basketball

San Miguel overpowered a TNT side that had to make do with a thin frontline on the way to a 108-88 victory and build...

Basketball

San Miguel took its fate into its own hands, finishing strongly to beat a woeful TNT, 98-92, and even things out in the PBA Season...

Basketball

TNT got fortunate enough in the endgame and escaped San Miguel, 99-96, to take Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals,...

Basketball

Don’t even bother throwing any ‘asa sa import’ jab at Chot Reyes and TNT. No one from the Tropang 5G is giving much thought...

Advertisement