Chot Reyes says SBP declined his resignation after SEA Games debacle

Chot Reyes said he submitted his resignation following Gilas Pilipinas campaign in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam last May, where the team fell short of a 14th straight gold medal.

Reyes' decision to leave his post came in after the nationals stumbled against Indonesia to settle for silver in the biennial meet—the first time the Philippines missed out on the gold since 1989.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, however, declined his offer to step down as head coach.

"I must admit that it's really difficult—what's happening now, what's going on, what you guys are printing," he said.

"But I did [resign]. Nag-decide naman ako eh pero hindi nila tinanggap eh [I made the decision but they did not accept it]. That's all I can say, I have a job, I was given this job to do."

With the federation turning down his resignation, Reyes vowed he will continue doing his job, especially with the looming fourth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers later in August.

Gilas is set to face 2022 FIBA Asia Cup runner-up Lebanon on August 25 before taking on Saudi Arabia on the 29th.

"It's very, very difficult, it's very difficult for my family but you know, somebody has to do the job and I've always said before that I will never turn my back on my duty to the flag and country," said Reyes, who also serves as TNT coach.

"So I don't know what else to say except to say, just be patient. We're in a transition. We're making do with the cards that are dealt to us."

—MGP, GMA News