Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
2018-pba-dleague-foundation-cup—go-for-gold-def-batangas—jai-reyes
2018-pba-dleague-foundation-cup—go-for-gold-def-batangas—jai-reyes

Basketball

Given another chance, Jai Reyes aims to be competitive again


It’s rare to see people flash smiles on a Monday. But Jai Reyes was different.

The 5-foot-6 point guard just could not hide his glee on Monday afternoon, as he played for the Go for Gold Scratchers in the 2018 PBA D-League Foundation Cup opener at the Ynares Arena.

This is his first game back after over a year, or since March of 2017, where he last played in Thailand’s TBSL.

“[Expletive]. [It’s been] Really a while, man!

“Honestly kanina kinakabahan talaga ako after a year off. Yung parang bagong naglalaro ulit ako ng basketball. I’m just happy to get through this game, nanalo kami,” expressed Reyes moments after the Scratchers dismantled Batangas-EAC, 88-75, a game where he had seven points, four dimes, and three rebounds.

For someone who didn’t play that long, it is in a way expected that they might be on the verge of hanging up their sneaks for good. But for Reyes, some instances just bring that desire to play back.

“I’ll be honest. Nung nakita ko yung MPBL, I was reminded ng UAAP crowds. So sabi ko why not play again?,” shared Reyes, who spent five fruitful years with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles that resulted in two championships.

“Then fortunately si Coach Charles (Tiu, Go for Gold head coach) — we’ve been teammates since the Ateneo days — so sabi ko laruin ko na lahat, nandito na rin ako eh.”

Being away from basketball for 15 months might be a problem of sorts for cagers. The 18th overall pick in the 2010 Rookie Draft, however, called it a blessing in disguise, as it helped him reflect on what he should do next.

“I was able to reflect kung ano yung kailangan ko — na if I wanna be competitive again I have to work on a couple of things: being in better shape, watching my nutrition and everything.

“Those were the things that I wasn’t doing kahit na nasa PBA ako. So blessing in disguise din na nakapagpahinga ako for one year,” added the former Talk N Text guard.

#ReadMore  At the end of the day, love wins

Being competitive again is indeed on top of Reyes’ priority list. And he might just achieve it quickly, as Reyes is also set to play for the Laguna Heroes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

He may be performing double duties, but Reyes has his sights set on not just helping the Scratchers as one of their veterans, but on winning a championship in the D-League as well.

“I wanna be competitive again as far as I can make it — bahala na kung hanggang saan. I’m just gonna keep on working hard, but my priority for the D-League is to be a leader for this team,” he said

“I wanna win a championship in the D-League.”

Written By

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


You May Also Like

2021 SEA Games

Filbasket will have a foreign guest team for its inaugural pro season starting on March 15. Kuala Lumpur Aseel is part of the 12-team...

Basketball

It was a busy Tuesday morning in the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) office in Makati. Upstart leagues Filipino Basketball League (Filbasket) and Pilipinas...

Basketball

Filbasket has applied to gain professional status for its second tournament slated to begin on March 15. According to league founder Jai Reyes, there...

Basketball

When the next Filbasket tournament happens, it will no longer be an “amateur” league. League founder Jai Reyes looks to coordinate with the Games...

Basketball

Amateur league Filbasket bared that it only followed the advice of the Philippine Sports Commission with regards to mounting a sports bubble. PSC chairman...

Basketball

Filbasket went on the defensive moments after the Games and Amusements Board questioned its status, stressing that it is an amateur league. Besides following...

Basketball

The Games and Amusements Board has raised concerns about the planned start of amateur league Filbasket on October 28 at the Subic Bay Gymnasium....

Basketball

A brand-new amateur basketball league that is ā€˜a product of necessityā€™ will soon come off the wraps. ā€œWe have been planning this for a...

Advertisement