Benjie Paras is New Coach of Philippine Team: Chot Reyes is Out!
10/30/2014 – Manila | Basketball fans are stunned in disbelief following the news that Chot Reyes is out amidst disbandment of the Philippine National Team Gilas Pilipinas. The Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced on Thursday that the organization will be using a “consultative approach” in selecting players of the upcoming national basketball team. It was not revealed yet if what will be the name of the new team but there is only one confirmed information, Benjie Paras, one of the greatest basketball players in Philippine history will be the new coach.
In an email sent to The Philippine Pride from Paras’ camp, the incoming coach said he is very excited to be on the league again and expects to be a member of player selecting panel.
In a statement delivered by SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan, he proposed a “participative and consultative approach” in the initial selection process for future national team. The new national team which will be headed by Paras will prepare for the 28th South Asian games in June and 28th FIBA Asia Championship in China on August 2015. The FIBA Asia is more important as it will serve as regional qualifier to the 2016 Brazil Olympics in Rio de Janiero.
Losing Chot is agonizing news to die hard Gilas fans, but hard core PBA fans are rejoicing after hearing that “The Tower of Power” is returning to the spotlight as big boss.
There is a lot of pressure for the incoming team considering the Gilas moderate success this year, but it is also expected that at least 3 of the former members of Gilas Pilipinas will return to the new team.
“I feel sorry for coach Chot but International basketball will be more exciting than ever”, a fan told the media during ambush interview Thursday at Mall of Asia following the announcement.
/Daisy Sampaguita/ Assisted Press Manila
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