MANILA, Philippines – There are many challenges when it comes to being a head coach for a national team in the FIBA World Cup, but for Gilas Pilipinas tactician Chot Reyes, none was tougher than having to make the decision of the team’s 12-man lineup.
Sharing the journey of preparing for the World Cup with 16 players, including the final stretch, Reyes had to break the news to four players in the pool — namely Thirdy Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Chris Newsome and Calvin Oftana — that they wouldn’t be making it into the World Cup roster.
In an attempt to assemble the best squad possible as Gilas Pilipinas eyes a deep run in basketball’s biggest stage, sacrifices had to be made.
“[It was] very, very difficult. I like to call it the deepest cut… Some guys, you know, we had to cut, were there [with us] from day one.” Reyes said during the pre-match press conference at Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.
Reyes told the media as well that he personally spoke to all four players cut, to make sure they didn’t find out from other sources before hearing it from their coach.
“It was, like I told them, it’s not because of anything they did wrong, or any lack or deficiency on their part, it’s just that we had to make a choice,” said Reyes.
“In the end, we had 16 guys, and we could only choose 12. And for me, that really is a coach’s most difficult job.” he added.
The head mentor said that it would’ve been easy if there were any other reason to cut the players from the roster.
But according to Reyes, they were all doing what they could to make the team better.
Still, decisions had to be made.
“Sana kung, you know, if they were doing something bad, or wrong, or if they were just really bad for the team. But no, they were all doing what we asked. We just had to make a decision,” he said.
The team’s final 12 will have its test against the Dominican Republic on Friday, August 24, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.