Chot Reyes made sure to turn into a cheerleader in Latvia for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. And Tim Cone made sure to acknowledge what he has done for the basketball program.
As the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament rolled on in Riga, Latvia, many Filipinos decided to troop their way to show support for Gilas Pilipinas.
Among those supporting in the crowd was none other than former Gilas head coach Chot Reyes.
Reyes, the previous tactician of the national team, had nothing but praises for the effort and play that Gilas has shown in their two outings in the OQT.
While many would think that the TNT Tropang Giga coach is still helping out Gilas in some way, Reyes did admit that he has taken on a new role for the team—the head cheerleader role.
“I'm just here as a fan, as a supporter. I'm just a fan and I'm still getting bashed up to now, but ganun talaga,” Reyes told One News’ The Big Story.
“My role is just to be the head cheerleader. I led the singing of the Pambansang Awit. My role here is just to support in whatever way I can,” he added.
Reyes was right there in Riga, and Tim Cone made sure to acknowledge him.
With the success of Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games and the ongoing FIBA OQT, many fans have drawn comparisons with former tactician Chot Reyes--who led the squad in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
But Cone, who was Reyes' deputy in the World Cup, made it a point to emphasize Chot's contributions to the basketball program.
"I feel like Chot Reyes, he gave us the feel that we can play with these guys," Cone said in an interview with Carlo Pamintuan for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas back in May.
It was also under Reyes' watch that Gilas Pilipinas reached the World Cup in 2014, returning to the international stage after 36 years.
"He did it in 2014 with Argentina and all those great teams and they went all the way to the last minute and then just lost games. But they, he proved to us that we could play with these guys," he said.
The Philippines took the fight to Croatia, losing in overtime. There were also close games against Argentina and Puerto Rico before Gilas finally won against Senegal in OT.
"The same thing in the [2023] World Cup, you know, we were right there with Dominican Republic. Gave us the idea that, yeah, we can compete with this. Just kind of figure out a way to get over the hump, you know?"
It was Cone who finally made the breakthrough, picking up the Philippines' first win in Gilas' third straight OQT appearance. Now they're in the semifinals... two wins away from an Olympics berth.
As Gilas readies itself for its biggest game yet in the tournament, Reyes has all the confidence in the world that the Filipino squad can pull off another shocker against world no. 12 Brazil.
“With this team, all the statistics, all the credentials, you can throw them all out the window because this team has no fear. Coach Tim [Cone] has prepared the players physically, mentally, and emotionally,” said Reyes.
“On paper, Latvia was much stronger than the Philippines but look what happened. I have great optimism and great confidence going into [today's] match,” he emphasized.
[ALSO READ: FIBA OQT: Gilas eyes Finals seat but has to go through Bruno Caboclo-led Brazil in semis]
Gilas will face Brazil later at 8:30 p.m. for a shot at advancing to the Finals of the FIBA OQT. The winner will face either Latvia or Cameroon.