‘We never discussed that Chot is out’ says SBP’s Sonny Barrios

Fans of Gilas Pilipinas were abuzz last week after the PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced the formation of a selection committee that would spearhead the formation of the next team that will represent the Philippines in international basketball.

While the formation of the selection committee led some to believe that erstwhile head coach Chot Reyes would no longer be head coach, SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios clarified that Reyes is still a part of the program.

"The formation of the search and selection committee is the start of the tweaking of the program," Barrios said during a forum arranged by the Online Media Group of sportswriters held at the Country Spice restaurant in Quezon City.

"Mr. [Manny V.] Pangilinan wants a Filipino presence if not Filipino as head coach. Ang kalakaran ngayon sa international (basketball) ay you get the best minds you can get," he added.

Asked what Reyes’ reaction was towards the development, Barrios said, "Hindi naman problema sa kanya kung hindi na siya. Pero kung siya pa rin, he's ready. The relationship between coach Chot and MVP goes far beyond contracts and employment appointments. They have a very good communication between them. Chot respects MVP a lot."

Barrios later on reiterated that Reyes remains part of the program.

"In the creation of the selection and search committee, we never discussed that Chot is out. What if he is part of the short list? We can never tell," said Barrios pointing to the possibility that the selection committee could pick Reyes as the Gilas coach again.

"The process that we are about to undertake is thorough in my mind. Effectively, MVP is saying that 'we don't have the monopoly of knowing all the right things. I want to listen to others. We maybe missing out something.'"