INCHEON, South Korea – Gilas forward Ranidel de Ocampo came to national team coach Chot Reyes' defense amid criticisms back home as they headed to the country's worst finish in the Asian Games basketball.
Despite the setback they suffered here, De Ocampo still believes that there's no other coach better than Reyes to handle the national team.
"Para sa akin, si coach Chot lang ang makakapag-coach sa national team. Siya lang yung may kakayanan na kung papaano magfi-fit ang mga Pinoy sa sistema na lalaban sa ibang bansa na mas malalaki," De Ocampo told Philstar.com.
He defended their embattled coach on the controversial benching of naturalized player Marcus Douthit in their 97-95 heartbreaking loss to Korea that led to their early ouster from the medal round.
"Kumbaga sa isang pamilya, siya (coach Chot) ang tatay namin eh. Kapag merong isang bata na sumuway, dinidisiplina eh. Hindi naman lagi na i-spoil mo ang isang bata, na hahayaan mo na lang isipin 'nun na okay lang pala gawin 'to, i-break ang rules. May mga desisyon ang isang tao na may paninindigan," De Ocampo said.
He also cleared that the decision to bench Douthit has the team's full support during their meeting after the game against Qatar.
"Hindi lang naman si coach ang nagalit, lahat kami. Na-upset talaga kami sa nangyari sa Qatar game. Sinabi ni coach sa amin 'yun (suspension) nung nasa athletes' village pa lang kami, andun si Marcus, professional naman lahat. Kaming mga players nga ang nag-initiate na magkaroon ng meeting. We supported his (coach Chot’s) decision," De Ocampo said.
For Douthit's part, De Ocampo said it was a learning experience for him and it will only make him stronger as a player and as a person.
"'Yun nga lang sobrang sakit daw para sa kaniya kasi nagkamali na nga siya, tapos 'di pa siya makatulong sa next game. Lahat naman ng tao nagkakamali at natututo eh," said De Ocampo.
As fast as Reyes was hailed back home as the best Filipino coach of this generation after piloting Gilas to a runner-up finish in last year's FIBA Asia Championship and the country's first win in 40 years in the World Cup last month, many fans turned their backs and vilified him after the disappointing performance of the banged-up national team here.
"Yung mga naiisip ng ibang tao, opinyon lang naman nila 'yun eh. Sa tingin ko, personal opinion ko to, kahit sabihin mong European coach pa yan, coach ng Argentina o ng Greece, iba pa rin ang mag-coach ka ng malaking team eh kasi di tulad nating mga Pilipino na di naman malalaki. Tingnan natin kung kaya nilang mag-coach sa ating mga Pilipino na maliliit," De Ocampo said.
"Sa mga nagmamarunong, sila na kaya ang mag-coach di ba? Kasi hindi naman namin 'to ginagawa para sa kung ano lang eh. 'Yung mga haters, nandiyan naman lagi iyan. Malalaman mo naman kung sino ang sumusuporta sa'yo pag nananalo ka at kung sino sumusuporta sa'yo pag natatalo ka," he added.
As they wrap up their ill-fated campaign here against Mongolia in the battle for 7th spot on Wednesday, De Ocampo said they are still hurting but will still go for the win.
They may have failed to win a medal here but they will bring home a painful lesson, which De Ocampo hopes will only fuel Gilas to move forward and rise up from these challenges.
"Kung masakit 'to para sa kanila, mas masakit 'to para sa amin. Sobrang sakit. Alam naman nating lahat na ito ang best chance na makakuha tayo ng medal. Nawala pa 'yung gold na inaasam natin. Ang lesson dito, yung sakit na naranasan namin, ayaw na naming maulit uli," De Ocampo said.