By REYNALD MAGALLON
TNT coach Chot Reyes got his victory ride from his players after steering the team to its 10th title – the second of a back-to-back in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The veteran mentor was relishing the moment.
For one, it’s been a while since he was this celebrated – perhaps a feeling that he never really got to experience despite the lots of sacrifices he’d been through as Gilas Pilipinas head coach – a responsibility that even forced him to momentarily relinquish his post as the Tropang Giga head coach.
Instead, he was caught at the center of the online bashing and vitriol over the country’s failed bid in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
But Reyes is back home with TNT and their title after disposing of Ginebra in Game 6 on Friday, Nov. 8, just exactly proved that the learning lessons of the past mistakes do bear fruit.
“Everything I had gone through, all the adversity that I had gone through, it’s all part of the process,” said Reyes after the Tropang Giga’s 95-85 clincher over the Kings.
“I know a lot of people are talking about ‘lesson learn’, ‘lesson learn’ but it’s really all about the lessons learned,” he added pertaining to his mindset which bashers and critics used to ridicule his performance as a coach for Gilas.
“I’m a very growth minded individual and for me all the challenges and difficulties I’ve gone through in the past is the opportunity for me to learn and grow,” Reyes furthered.
But Reyes was resilient. So is his TNT team. And while a lot had been thrown at him even now when he returned from an almost a year of coaching sabbatical, he harbored no ill feelings, instead, his heart was filled with nothing for gratitude.
“Everything happens for a reason like I said I am filled with gratitude,” Reyes stressed. “Our pre game talk was about which team wants it more. The team that is fighting for its life or the team that is fighting for its significance.”
“There’s something special about this team because a lot of our players are going through a lot of personal adversity that’s why we said for us if we win here it would be bigger than basketball,” he added.
Knowing full well how much criticism Reyes took during the lowlights of his career as national team head coach, Ginebra mentor Tim Cone was just as happy for his old pal for getting some sort of vindication – even if it came at his own expense.
“I’m happy for Chot. I’m happy that he got some vindication tonight,” Cone, who was Reyes’ deputy during last year’s World Cup and his successor as Gilas coach.
“It’s been a hard road for him in the last couple of years. And for him to get this, it’s really good for him and his family. I’m happy for him,” added the veteran mentor.
Reyes now has 10 titles under his belt becoming only the fourth coach in PBA history to ever reach that mark, joining Cone with his 25, the great Baby Dalupan with 15, and Norman Black with 11.
