Reyes wants veteran trio to re-think Gilas retirements

MANILA (FIBA Asia Cup 2017) - Chot Reyes has experienced the highs and lows of basketball in the Philippines the past few years like of all of his countrymen and if there's one thing he's certain of, it's that the national side will be better if a few players with a wealth of experience re-think their decisions to retire and continue to play for Gilas.

Reyes, recently installed as head coach of team for the second time after two years away, wants veterans Jayson Castro, Ranidel De Ocampo and Gabe Norwood to suit up for Gilas again and hopefully for the FIBA Asia Cup 2017.

"If Manny Pacquiao was able to return in boxing just a few months after announcing his retirement, I'm sure Jayson can also come back for the national team," Reyes said, as reported in the Manila Times.

Castro, 30, was named to the All-Star Five after leading his team to a runners-up finish at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in China.

"That's the best guard in Asia since the last four years until somebody takes it away from him," Reyes said. "It is just easy to come out from retirement. Gabe also."

Reyes, meanwhile, is enthusiastic about the opportunity to lead the national team again. He guided it to a runners-up finish at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship in Manila and also to an impressive showing at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Reyes led the Philippines at Spain 2014

Gilas won only once in Spain two summers ago, against Senegal, but were extremely competitive in their other games against Croatia, Argentina, Puerto Rico and Greece.

Baldwin led the national side the past couple of summers, including at this year's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, where Gilas fell to New Zealand and France.

The announcement that Reyes has once again taken the reins caught a lot of people by surprise.

"I've retired from professional coaching, but I haven't retired from serving my country and coaching Gilas is the way of serving my country," Reyes said. "So when it was offered to me again, I couldn't resist serving my country again."

FIBA