Three years ago, Chot Reyes had been on the losing end of his head-to-head with Julio Lamas.
Both coaches figured in a chess match as the Philippines and Argentina faced each other in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. The Argentinians escaped the Filipinos, 85-81.
Three years later, the Filipino tactician has finally won one over his Argentinian counterpart.
Reyes and his SMART Gilas Pilipinas survived the Lamas-mentored Akatsuki Five of Japan, 77-71, in the FIBA World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers opener, Friday at the Komazawa Gymnasium in Tokyo.
Reyes may be relieved with the win, but the five-time PBA Coach of the Year has nothing but respect to Lamas, who is also a multi-titled coach in the Argentine League, where he has four titles and seven Coach of the Year plums.
“The good thing about playing against good coaches — every team here [in Asia] have good coaches — it demands your best,” said Reyes after the match. “It demands you to be at the top of your game and your adjustments.
“Your focus has to be at a very high level because one slip up could mean the ball game.”
Furthermore, Reyes could not help but praise Lamas’ wits, as the 53-year-old mentor devised schemes that eventually sent the Japanese to their first-ever lead in the game, 38-37, with 7:23 remaining in the third canto.
“Coach Julio made great adjustments in the third,” lauded Reyes, as the third quarter saw eight lead changes and three ties. “We had to make our counter adjustments and I think that proved to be important in this ball game.”
With that, Reyes had nothing but kind words for the gutsy Akatsuki Five.
“We knew that we’re in for a tough match,” the 54-year-old said.
“We know they have the ability to come back because they’re a quality team, deep team — skilled, talented, and very well-coached.”
