GILAS Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes said he should not be judged despite the team’s woes, adding it’s better for armchair pundits to reserve their assessment next year in the World Cup.
“I’m just keeping myself focused on the big picture and the big picture is to make sure that we put together the best team for the world championships in 2023,” Reyes said after the nationals crushed India 101-59 last Friday for their first win in the FIBA Asia Cup.
“Everything we’re doing now is preparation and buildup for 2023. That is where people can judge how well that team plays. By that time, I am sure we would have put together our best team,” he added.
The Filipino dribblers battled powerhouse New Zealand at press time last night in their final match in pool play in Group D at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta.
A loss by Gilas will drop it to third in its group and will clash with either Japan or Iran from Group C in a knockout tiff for a quarterfinals berth tomorrow at the same venue.
If the Philippine five pulls off an upset against the Kiwis who prevailed 106-60 in the third window of the World Cup qualifiers last month, Gilas will tackle either Kazakhstan or Syria.
Reyes has come under fire since he took over at the helm of Gilas from Tab Baldwin last February. made even worse by the squad’s failed golden mission in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam last May.
“I took responsibility and accountability for that. I did not blame anyone or anything. All those things are all part of the process,” Reyes said, referring to the Hanoi debacle.
“These losses, the difficulties, the adversity. I always tell the players to just keep focused on the big picture. If we can consistently overcome these adversities, it will just make us stronger for 2023.”
By calling the shots for Gilas anew, Reyes knew there will be naysayers and unbelievers.
