VINCENT “Chot” Reyes has tempered the expectation of the TNT Tropang GIGA fans as he made a coaching return for the franchise ahead of the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Cup this April.
Reyes, a former Gilas Pilipinas head coach, admitted in an interview that his return to the Tropang GIGA after nine years is not a guarantee that the squad will return to the promise land.
“It’s not going to be easy,” Reyes said. “I know a lot of fans are saying a lot of good things. The Giga fans have a lot for all the kind words that they’ve been saying. But this is not going to be a walk in the park. This is not going to be an instant thing.”
“I just want to make sure that we managed expectations because the competition, as we all know, is very, very tough. Everyone is getting better so simply changing the coach is not a magic formula. It’s not automatic,” he added.
During Reyes stint as the TNT head coach, he has led the squad to four PBA championships, including three straight PBA Philippine Cup titles from 2011 to 2013.
Reyes then left the TNT as he was tapped to handle the Gilas Pilipinas squad in 2014. Since his departure from the franchise, TNT has only tasted a PBA title once, during the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
According to Reyes, he was personally contacted by TNT boss Manny Pangilinan to handle the squad, replacing Ilonggo Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena, who will slide back to assistant coach role.
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.
“Every time you get accept a coaching job, there is always pressure. That’s why they call it a hot seat. But as coaches, we are kinda used to it if it’s even possible,” the eight-time PBA champion coach said.
“But certainly, more so if you accept a high-profile job just like TNT, there are very high expectations. But there is no pressure than is greater than the pressure I put on myself,” he added./PN
