With 2:46 left in the third quarter of the Gilas Pilipinas-Chinese Taipei match Sunday night, the Filipino crowd inside the Taipei Heping Gym suddenly chanted “Kobe! Kobe!”, trying to push coach Chot Reyes and his staff to field in the young Kobe Paras.
No one can blame the crowd for showing love for Paras, as the second-generation star is a two-field superstar. However, some were not enamored with the idea, including Gilas head coach Chot Reyes, who even tried to pacify the crowd.
“I had to shut them up when they were chanting Kobe’s name,” said the 53-year-old veteran tactician, who was seen looking at the audience and signalling them to stop.
Reyes may look bad in the eyes of the Filipinos here in Taiwan for that act, but he justified what he did, saying that he had acted to protect the young cager from the pressure it might bring.
“For us the coaching staff, it’s really for Kobe because we don’t want to put to much pressure, too much hype,” said Reyes. “He’s nineteen years old. We want to develop him, take him along slowly, give him a taste of playing in an elite international tournament like this.
“I think it’s our job as coaches to take him along slowly, and not get him in situations where it’s not going to be in his advantage. That’s why I was trying to hush the crowd.”
Paras, the youngest member of the 17-man squad, is averaging just 5.0 minutes per contest in the tournament. But Reyes’ goal for him is to gain experience and learn from his seniors.
However, the outspoken mentor was quick to add that there is nothing wrong with the crowd doing their best to show their support for their team.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. I really appreciate our kababayans for coming out. I really love the passion,” Reyes said.
