PBA – Filipino Cup under his belt, ‘Chot’ plots for the next conference

MANILA, Philippines (PBA All Philippine Cup) - In a country where winning a basketball title can propel you to demi-god status, Vincent ‘Chot’ Reyes has tasted triumph in the All Philippine Cup six times.

The All Philippine Cup, in a manner of speaking, can be termed as the true test of any coach’s abilities to utilise local Filipino talent. For, available at his disposal is just that – the local talent – as opposed to the Commissioner’s Cup or the Governor’s Cup where the teams are allowed to use import players.

Chot Reyes spoke to fibaasia.net, days after steering Talk N Text Tropang Texters to victory in the best-of-seven Finals series against San Miguel Beermen with an unexpectedly easy Game 6 win last Friday.

FIBA Asia: How was the feeling last Friday? Was there a sense of satisfaction and achievement?
Reyes: There is a huge sense of satisfaction and achievement, but also of excitement as this team can still get better.

FIBA Asia: Where did you think you faired well in Game 6?
Reyes: We started the game really strong, leading at the end of the first quarter for the first time all series. Then when they came back to grab the lead early in the third, we re-grouped and went on a 12-0 run to regain control of the match.

FIBA Asia: The way SMB came back in Games 4 and 5, did you have your heart in your mouth?
Reyes: Of course, who wouldn’t? But honestly I felt we could have won Game 4 if only we had made our free throws and if Ryan Reyes had not cramped up, so I felt very positive going into Game 5.

FIBA Asia: What have been the best moments for you this season, apart from winning the championship?
Reyes: When the entire team came together at midcourt to hug Ryan Reyes after we won Game 1, just two days after his brother died (in a road accident in the US).

FIBA Asia: What do you see as the most disappointing moments of the season?
Reyes: None. The only thing I would change is the accident that claimed the life of Ryan’s brother.

FIBA Asia: At the start of the season, did you think you’d go all the way?
Reyes: We certainly thought we could get into the finals, and then take it from there.

FIBA Asia: Can you compare this championship to your first five?
Reyes: Each one of those five is special, but this one ranks high up because it was against what is widely regarded as the strongest team in the league.

FIBA Asia: How does this team compare to the one from 2008-09?
Reyes: The 2008-09 team was mostly offense-oriented. We won games by shooting a tremendously high three-point percentage. This team is more defense-oriented.

We are still leading the league in offense but we’re doing it in different ways – through stopping the other team and finding other ways to score apart from the three-point shot.

There was a time when if we didn’t shoot superbly from three-point range we couldn’t win. This team doesn’t need to shoot very well from long-range. It can win by limiting the opponent.

FIBA Asia: What are your plans for the next conference. What are your thoughts on your import player?
Reyes: We’re very excited with Paul Harris. We feel he fits our team very well. Our goal is to start strong as it is a short conference, and then see what happens.

FIBA Asia: You will play Smart Gilas (virtually the Philippine National Team) in the conference. What do you think?
Reyes: Tremendous challenge for us.

S Mageshwaran

FIBA Asia