Advertisement

Chot Reyes reacts to current Gilas status

Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes barks instructions from the sideline during the 27th FIBA Asia Championship gold medal game between the Philippines and Iran.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the Philippine Basketball Association have decided to create a search committee to spearhead the search for the head coach of Gilas as it starts its quest for a berth in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

The PBA and the SBP, however, stopped short of saying that Chot Reyes will no longer be the head coach of Gilas.

All they said was that the position is vacant now and the search committee will be tasked to fill it in the near future.

“The PBA is keen to continue supporting the SBP and its worthy objective of consolidating and improving on the gains the Gilas program has achieved in recent years. The creation of a selection committee will help harness and broaden the support and resources available for SBP within the PBA community and beyond,” said PBA Commissioner Chito Salud.

“We are excited about the creation of this selection committee. It gives key stakeholders a channel to participate in a dynamic manner in the achievement of our goals.”

Salud also clarified that the Gilas program which was started under Rajko Toroman will continue to exist albeit with a reboot.

Reyes broke his silence over the matter through a statement disseminated to members of the media.

"I have been assured by both SBP President Manny V. Pangilinan and Executive Director Sonny Barrios that the Gilas program has not been disbanded, and will continue under a regime of broader consultation with the basketball community, which I support,” Reyes said.

Under his guidance, Gilas Pilipinas snared the silver medal at the 2014 FIBA Asia Championship, losing to Iran in the finals. He also helped the Philippines break its 40-year drought in the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Their campaign, however, soured during the recently concluded Asian Games.

“As to whether I will continue to be the Gilas coach or not depends on the SBP Board, under whose mandate I have served since being appointed head coach since 2012," Reyes ended.