Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes has issued an apology to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan following the team’s disappointing performance in the first round of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Reyes reportedly reached out to Pangilinan after Gilas finished with a 0-3 record and found themselves at the bottom of Group A standings. In a report by One News, Pangilinan disclosed that Reyes sent him a text saying, “sorry boss.”
Pangilinan, who played a vital role in bringing the tournament to the Philippines, shared that he had not yet responded to Reyes’ message as he was unsure of what to say. However, he expressed his support for the national team, acknowledging that they, like all Filipino fans, were also hurting after the series of losses.
“I feel for Chot; I have no doubt that he tried his best. I feel for the players; I have no doubt that they tried their best,” said Pangilinan.
Unlike many fans, Pangilinan did not place blame on anyone, including Reyes or the players, and instead acknowledged that the team gave their all but simply couldn’t catch a favorable bounce of the ball.
“Everybody from the coaches down to the players tried their very best to do as much for the country, so we fell short, but that’s the way the ball bounces, right?” he added.
Reyes and the Gilas team still have the opportunity to redeem themselves from their winless outing in the pool play. They will compete in the classification round to stay in contention for a spot in the Paris Olympics. The team will face African qualifier South Sudan on Thursday, August 31, followed by a match against Asian rival China on Saturday, September 2.
