Coaches Brian Goorjian and Chot Reyes shook hands, then conversed with one another for a while as Bay Area and TNT exchanged pleasantries to wrap up their PBA Commissioner’s Cup encounter, Wednesday evening.
Turns out it was a bit of a catch-up between the decorated mentors, who are actually long-time pals as they’ve known each other for decades now.
“Just an opportunity. We’re both involved with national teams. Just shared some ideas, and some thoughts moving forward,” shared Goorjian shortly after the Dragons’ 140-108 victory at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
“Kaibigan ko ‘yon,” added Reyes, on the other hand.
“I’ve known him from way, way before. Long, long way back. Twenty years ko na kilala ‘yan.”
Both national team coaches, Goorjian only has nothing but admiration towards Reyes, especially with how he’s been handling Gilas Pilipinas.
The Australia men’s team’s chief shot-caller is in awe of his counterpart’s tiring grind, particularly in coaching the Filipino dribblers during FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers while still handling the Tropang Giga.
Goorjian, who returned to the Boomers back in 2020, has only been working with Bay Area since May, with assistant coaches led by Mike Kelly taking care of the program while he’s mentoring the club from Hong Kong.
Kelly and the other coaches led the Aussie team to the Asia Cup gold in July and have been handling the window games, but the 69-year-old remains very much involved with his squad, especially in roster selection processes.
“He’s been busy, he’s done such an amazing job,” he said. “I’m with the Australian national team, I’m not coaching the window games.
“He’s been travelling everywhere in coaching Gilas and also coming back and doing this. I’ve just been this and I had a coach take that side. So full respect to him,” added the man who steered Australia to the Olympic bronze medal.
So with all the battles abroad Reyes has gone through, Goorjian would love to gain valuable insights from his good friend — over good food, he hopes.
“I have respect for his basketball brain, and I said we’ve got a little break here, maybe we can get together and have a meal and break bread,” he said.
“What he’s seen in the region, what he sees coming, I just want to get some thoughts from him and share some ideas. And again, break some bread with a friend,” added Goorjian.
