Chot’s style catches foes off-guard

SEVILLE, Spain – Coach Chot Reyes said one  big factor that went in favor of Gilas Pilipinas is it’s the most difficult to scout.

“Every coach has told us directly we’re the most difficult team to scout. Their exact term is that ‘we’re hell to scout,’” said Reyes.

“They don’t have an idea because we don’t call a play,” said Reyes of their game which he said is neither Euro style or American type,” he added.

“If we play the Euro style, we couldn’t ‘out-Greek’ Greece. We couldn’t ‘out-Croatia’ Croatia because of their size and experience. We’ll be beaten by 20, 30 points,” the Gilas coach pointed out. “We couldn’t play the American style because we don’t have the ability of the Americans.”

Reyes had thought and proved right that the only way to compete here is playing a completely different style.

“That’s why we play the way we play. It’s not scientific, ‘de numero’ and precise as the other teams. But as you can see, it’s effective,” he said.

“We’re the most difficult team to scout as the other teams insisted. Andray (Blatche) would play 4 spot, some times 5 spot and some times he’s there in the corner. Then our guards were of different sets every single game,” he added.

Reyes was not surprised they played their best against Croatia and Senegal.

“To be honest when we saw our competition, our analysis was that our best chances were the first game and the last game,” Reyes said.

“Baka magulat natin ang Croatia because they didn’t know us. Sure enough, those games ended in overtime, one shot from going to the second round,” Reyes added.

A big bonus was their near upset of world No. 3 Argentina. But it raised the expectation of the Filipino people on Gilas on its last two games against Puerto Rico and Senegal.

“Sumama ang loob natin dahil di natin alam na didikit tayo sa first four games natin. Expectation grew big, but from the start our thinking was, for us to get to the next round, our best chance is to beat Croatia and Senegal. And that’s what exactly happened,” Reyes said.

For his own assessment of their showing, Reyes said: “Now we know we deserve to be in the second round. Before the tournament, we thought it’s 50-50. Now we know we deserve to be in the second round.

“The best way to describe it, we’re happy with the win but regret not getting to the second round.”