The exit of Coach Chot Reyes from the Philippine National Men's Basketball team also caught the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) by surprise.
SBP president Al Panlilio admitted that the federation did not expect that Reyes will step down as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas after the 2023 FIBA World Cup campaign of the national team came to an end.
"He never spoke about it," Panlilio said on Thursday, September 7, during a press conference at headquarters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in Libis, Quezon City.
Coach Tim Cone, who served as assistant coach of Gilas Pilipinas during the FIBA World Cup, also said that Reyes made no indication that he will step down from the national team.
"I had no idea and I was the assistant coach," stressed Cone, who has been appointed as the head coach of Gilas Pilipinas for the upcoming 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Reyes revealed his decision to "step aside" from Gilas Pilipinas after the team bested China, 96-75, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Saturday, September 2.
The decision of Reyes stemmed from the criticisms thrown against him after the Philippines went down 0-4 in the 19th FIBA World Cup.
"Never mind on me, but on my family, and my loved ones, it is just brutal. I will never turn my back on serving my country but there is a point where I have just to think of my health and my family," Reyes said.
The departure of Reyes hampered the preparations of Gilas Pilipinas for the Asian Games since SBP submitted the initial roster of the national team for the tournament with the belief that 59-year old coach will call the shots.
"No one knows that Chot will step down and he is the one who wrote all the players that he wants. Now, we have a new coach, a different style,"said Alfrancis Chua, who has been appointed as team manager of Gilas Pilipinas.
The Asian Games will officially open on September 23 and the men's basketball competition will begin on September 26.
