Reyes takes over as Gilas program director

MANILA, Philippines — SBP president Al Panlilio yesterday confirmed that newly-redesignated Gilas head coach Chot Reyes will take over from Tab Baldwin as the national team program director up to the 2023 FIBA World Cup where Manila will be the lead host.

“It’s the natural thing to do,” explained Panlilio. “Chot’s his own man and we’ll continue with Chot as Gilas program director. I think it would be a little off if Chot reports to Tab. Now, it’s a different thing if Chot asks for Tab. This all started when Tab stepped down from coaching in the coming FIBA window. He begged off to focus on his job at Ateneo with two UAAP basketball competitions this year. But what kind of commitment is that to Gilas? You can’t just pick and choose which tournament you’d like to coach.”

Panlilio said Baldwin gave no indication which competitions, including the World Cup, he intends to coach. “It’s been a running discussion with us,” he said. “Tab hasn’t committed to anything. We’re gearing for the World Cup and right now, unfortunately, our Gilas pool is decimated. It was supposed to be a developmental pool for the World Cup and now, the players are gone. Actually, the program is in a mess. Tab was in the US for several months, from November to January.”

Comparing the situation to the corporate world, Panlilio said choosing the Gilas coach isn’t necessarily a case of appointing the best available. “Tab feels he’s the best coach in the country but sometimes, you don’t go with the best coach if he’s only for himself,” said Panlilio, the PLDT president/CEO. “You need someone who’s collaborative.” The scuttlebutt is when Baldwin withdrew from coaching in the FIBA World Cup Asia second qualifying window, he recommended Jong Uichico to replace him but since the former PBA coach is coming from an ailment, suggested Reyes whom he described as the “second best” coach in the land.

Panlilio said the SBP backed up Baldwin’s proposal to bring in Serbian Nenad Vucinic who’s now in Reyes’ coaching staff with Uichico and Josh Reyes training the Gilas pool at the Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas. “Tab asked if we could tap Nenad to help so we did,” said Panlilio. “Tab recently sent in a wish list for our World Cup team and it includes players who aren’t eligible as locals like Jordan Clarkson, Mikey Williams, Jamie Malonzo, Jalen Green and Sage Tolentino. He asked if we could designate Mark Dickel to negotiate bringing them over. We understand Dickel is the agent arranging for Filipinos to play in the Japan B.League. Tab denies being involved in that but where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

Panlilio, who is also the PBA Governor for Meralco, said all he’s asking from Reyes is to build a competitive team for the coming FIBA window and beyond. “At Meralco, I’ve told coach Norman (Black), it doesn’t matter if we go 0-11 for as long as we never give up each game, we’re fighting ‘til the end, trying our best,” said Panlilio. “It’s when we give up that he’ll hear from me.” Panlilio said it’s the same philosophy that Reyes brings to Gilas and with a busy schedule this year, no less than total commitment is critical.