MANILA – Aiming to bring back its winning ways, the TNT Tropang Giga has brought back former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes to be its mentor ahead of the upcoming 2021 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup.
TNT team Governor Ricardo Vargas confirmed the return of Reyes to the Tropang Giga replacing Ilonggo Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena, who will be relegated back to one of the team’s assistant coaches.
“It’s like a homecoming for Chot. He is a coach that gave us four championships. We look forward to a successful relationship with Chot,” Vargas said on Saturday night.
“We would like to thank TNT Tropang Giga active team consultant Mark Dickel for all he had done for the team. He brought us to the PBA Finals twice in two years that he was on board. We wish him well as he moves on to new endeavors,” he added.
Aside from Ravena, still serving as Reyes’ assistant coaches were his son Josh Reyes, Sandy Arespacochaga, Alton Lister, Ranidel De Ocampo, and Yuri Escueta. Active team consultant Mark Dickel, meanwhile, is not returning.
Reyes, for his part, is looking forward to his return with the Tropang Giga franchise after steering the team to a three-consecutive PBA Philippine Cup championship almost a decade ago.
“Throughout my career, I have always tried to live according to my passion and purpose. My passion has always been coaching and building teams, whether in sports or business. And my purpose is to further the advancement of Filipino coaches, so we can help develop the next generation of Filipino leaders,” Reyes said.
“Coaching again in the PBA provides me an excellent platform to advance this advocacy. I have spent the best years of my career as a ka-Tropa and I look forward to this new challenge,” he added.
The 57-year-old Reyes is a decorated mentor being an eight-time PBA champion coach with TNT, Coca Cola, and Purefoods. He is also a five-time PBA Coach of the Year awardee./PN
