“We want to go back to our winning formula.”
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, in a surprising announcement Tuesday morning, announced that Chot Reyes has been brought back as the chief mentor of the men’s national basketball team.
Current Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin will serve as an assistant coach to Reyes. The remaining staff members have yet to be announced.
The 53 year old Reyes last handled the National Team back in 2014. He was able to steer Gilas Pilipinas to a silver finish back in 2013 during the FIBA Asia Championships held in Manila. The second place finish brought the Philippines back to the world basketball scene.
“It’s not going to be easy but it will be done,” Reyes, who is also the president of TV5 Network, Inc., said in a press conference held in Taguig City.
Arnold Van Opstal, Mike Tolomia, Mac Belo, Jiovani Jalalon, Russel Escoto, Almond Vosotros, Matthew Wright, Carl Cruz, Kevin Ferrer, Von Pessumal, Roger Pogoy, and Ed Daquioag, 12 players who are in the Gilas Pool, were also in attendance.
Reyes will steer the National Team through its grinding journey leading up to the 2019 FIBA World Cup.