June 10, 2016
Countdown to Manila OQT: 25 days
All Gilas Pilipinas guard Ryan Reyes wanted to do when he was named part of the initial 17-man Gilas 4 pool in October last year was to make head coach Tab Baldwin proud.
“We are all chosen for a reason. We just have to work hard on those specific skills. We have to give what we give on the court, coach expects a lot from us and we have to work hard and make him proud,” Reyes said in one of Gilas 4.0’s training sessions last year.
Reyes had no expectations. When he knew about the selection, Reyes said his main goal was to stay healthy — an answer that seemed to sound like a cliche, but definitely was not an exaggeration.
“It is always an honor to be selected or mentioned or to be picked. Unfortunately the past years I had all that stuff, some injuries and pains and I was not a hundred percent to play,” Reyes said. “I wouldn’t think I could help the team then.”
“But now I am healthy, and I will try to stay healthy to do something, whatever coach tells me to do or my role for the team.”
Reyes, one of the most reliable outside shooters in the country over the past eight years, had missed many opportunities playing for the national team.
He had always been considered by past national basketball team coaches ever since he set foot on Philippine soil, but most times, he ended spending more time recovering from injuries than on the hard court.
The Tropang TNT guard was part of the 2009 Powerade Pilipinas pool handled by Yeng Guiao, but never made it to the FIBA Asia Championship that year. Reyes also had talks with Gilas I head coach Rajko Toroman years ago, and was also eyed by Chot Reyes during the early stages of Gilas 2.0’s preparations.
On Thursday, Reyes was named part of Gilas’ 14-man pool which shall train in Europe as part of preparing for the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament next month.
With Marcio Lassiter out of the pool, Reyes and Jeff Chan are the only natural two guards left in the Gilas squad. But Reyes’ mindset has not changed even if, realistically, his chances of making the final cut continues to rise.
He maintains not having any expectations.
“I am just trying to work hard and get better. I just continue to work hard and play my game, see what I can do to help the team,” Reyes said after Gilas defeated Iran, 81-70 last Wednesday.
“I was just getting open. The shots were just falling. I will continue adjusting. The guys (we will face) are a lot bigger, quicker,” Reyes said of his game last Wednesday.
As for his goal in the next few weeks? Pretty much the same.
“I am just thankful I am a bit healthy the past few times. I will continue to work on strengthening,” Reyes said. “So far, so good, hopefully I just keep it up and hopefully, nothing happens. I will continue to work hard out there.”
Reyes may be very close to making the final 12 of a national team, but nothing has changed in the way he approaches the situation.
He just wants to make Baldwin proud.
