September 4 ------ CHOT Reyes stepped down as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas after the national team played its final game in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. "I'm stepping aside (as head coach). I (might have coached my last game already as Gilas Pilipinas coach," said Reyes in the press conference that followed the team's 96-75 win over China.
Reyes' announcement came at the end of a tumultuous home World Cup that saw Gilas get shut out in three group stage games, lose one more to South Sudan in the classification phase before the face-saving win over old rival China. That marked the end of Reyes' fourth stint as national coach, which saw the high of a runner-up finish at the 2013 Fiba Asia Cup in Manila and ebbed following the Philippines' rare loss in a SEA Games match in 2019.
From there, Reyes took a beating in social media and the mainstream press amid a tumultuous buildup to the World Cup, to the point that he acknowledged being the "most hated man' in Philippine basketball. However, the multi-titled coach ended his stint at Gilas on a high - the win over China coming a decade after he led Gilas to a thrillng overtime victory over Senegal in the 2014 World Cup in Seville, Spain. "I haven't heard anything from managament. It is my decision," said Reyes, stressing once again he didn't apply for the job since he's been retired from coaching the national team when he was asked to replace Tab Baldwin.
After what he termed as 'failing to perform' in this World Cup, Reyes said it's time to let another person take the Gilas Pilipinas reins. "We didn't perform and like I said the last game, I take full accountability and because of that, I think it's time for me to step aside," he said. Again, Reyes stressed he refused to use the word resign on his decision to give up the national team post. "I hate to use the word resign because I'm not a quitter," he said. "I am not a quitter."
Source: spin.ph
Editor's Note:
HAMED Haddadi also called it a career for Iran. The 38-year-old veteran announced his retirement from the national team at the 2023 Fiba World Cup, shortly after Iran lost to also-ran Asian side Lebanon, 73-81, in Jakarta on Saturday. “I had a long career with the Iran national team (since) 2000 I think. It’s been 23 years now. I know I put everything for my national team. (Even) with my injuries, every time I can’t play or when I’m not in shape, I know I have my teammates here who can improve (the team)," Haddadi said. "I feel good but I feel upset too because I’ll leave my country, my basketball (career), my teammates, young players who came here," he added.
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