Chot Reyes on social media bashing: Too heavy, masyado nang masakit!

The bashing and the disrespect largely on social media was just too much to handle for Chot Reyes that he – with consultation from his family – decided to step down as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas.

Chot Reyes PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO

“It's just too heavy, masyado nang masakit,” said Reyes on Saturday night, Sept. 2 following the final game of the national team in the FIBA World Cup classification stage at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

“Just to be very honest, bastos naman talaga 'yung mga ibang pinagsasabi so I don't deserve it and my family doesn't deserve it,” he added.

The decision came after the 96-75 win of Gilas Pilipinas against one of its Asian rivals China. It was the team's first win in the World Cup after going 0-3 in Group A of the first elimination phase.

Already out in the second round, the team then opened its classification round campaign with an 87-68 defeat to South Sudan, which ended the country's bid to earn an outright spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

According to Reyes, the bashing and also the 'booing' he got during the Philippines' introduction from the Filipino fans at the Big Dome also affected the entire squad – particularly the players.

“What people don't realize, sa akin 'yung booing before the game is okay lang, sanay na nga ako doon,” he said.

“But they don't realize the effects sa players. Kasi sila rin they get demoralized as well, nagtataka sila bakit ba gano'n. And all of the calls for me to resign, syempre nababasa 'yan ng mga players e and naapektuhan din sila.”

“It affects the game, the way we play, and so it's a distraction,” Reyes added.

Reyes took over as Gilas Coach when Tab Baldwin stepped down in February 2022.

The appointment of Reyes as coach by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) top management led by its chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and its president Al Panlilio ended an eight-year hiatus as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas as he resigned from the post after the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

Reyes said it was all about the lack of preparation.

“e had a great preparation plan as we started preparations for this on June 12 but we get our first complete practice as a team on August 18, one week before our first game. Think about that,” said Reyes.

“And still we fought all of those opponents, Italy, Dominican, Angola, but we fell short. But France didn't advance, Australia is not advancing… so many powerful teams that are not advancing.”

“Pero sa Pilipinas bawal matalo e. Dito sa atin, bawal matalo,” added Reyes.

The longtime PBA and national team mentor said he already informed the SBP about his decision.

“I've informed Mr. Panlilio and Mr. (Ricky) Vargas but there's no decision as of now as far as I know. But before the game I told them this is going to be my last game,” he said.