By REYNALD MAGALLON
Chot Reyes will once again call the shots for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 which is set to kick off on Tuesday, July 12 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas made the announcement late Friday, July 8, as the current Gilas Men’s program director takes over the coaching reigns from Nenad Vucinic who guided the national team to a 1-1 record in the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers earlier this month.
Vucinic will remain with the team as an assistant coach along with Jong Uichico and Sandro Soriano.
“The competition in Jakarta, Indonesia will be crucial to the continuing development of the younger players in preparation for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023,” said the federation in a statement.
“The FIBA Asia Cup will be a great way to measure how much Gilas has improved as they face off once again with New Zealand and India. It will also be a great chance to test our young squad against another top Asian team in Lebanon in the group stage,” it added.
Reyes last held the post in the 31st Southeast Asian Games where the team fell short of defending the gold medal, losing to Indonesia, 85-81, in the final which also ended the country’s 33-year reign in the biennial meet.
SBP has yet to name its lineup for the tournament but the national team is set to tap the services of TNT big man JP Erram to boost Gilas’ frontline in lieu of the injured naturalized center Ange Kouame.
The national team is grouped with India, New Zealand, and Lebanon in Group D in the continental showpiece.
