VINCENT "Chot" Reyes is back to doing double duty, with his reappointment to head coaching post at Gilas Pilipinas.
Reyes will juggle jobs at TNT Tropang Giga and with the national team while Tab Baldwin is to focus on his responsibilities with the Ateneo men's basketball team with the looming return of the college play in the country.
"It will be an honor to serve the country again. It is a big challenge pero hindi ko matatalikuran ang tawag ng bayan," said Reyes, back on the saddle for Gilas which is to prepare for the FIBA World Cup 2023 Qualifiers.
Reyes is nothing new to doing double duty, having done the same in his previous stints with the national team.
Reyes and his TNT chargers are at 2-2 as the PBA Governors' Cup resumes on Feb. 11. They're chasing a season sweep after ruling the Season 46 Philippine Cup.
"Considering the high-level performance expected of Gilas, we decided to go with the coach who brought the country back to the FIBA World Cup in 2014," said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio, who is a member of the PBA board representing the Meralco Bolts ball club.
"Chot is the sensible choice to take over Gilas coaching because he is very familiar with the program. He also has solid experience in international competition and FIBA games," said SBP chairman emeritus Manny Pangilinan.
Chot, the architect of Gilas' runner-up finish in the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup that became the country's ticket to a return stint in the world meet in 2014, took over the national team head coach duties beginning Feb. 1. (SB)
(Photo credits to CNN Philippines)