Chot Reyes takes break from basketball after stepping down as Gilas coach

Chot Reyes is set to take a break from basketball after a taxing stretch that saw him coach Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Reyes said on Wednesday that he is leaving TNT temporarily in the guidance of interim coach Jojo Lastimosa as he looks to take a breather from the coaching scene.

"I needed a rest. Si Jolas muna sa first conference. Then if I feel rested na, maybe I’ll think of returning sa PBA," Reyes told reporters.

"Pero kung maganda naman nilalaro nila under kay Jolas, ba't pa naman natin guguluhin. I have two more years under my contract with TNT."

(I needed a rest. Jolas will take care of the first conference. If I feel rested, maybe I'll think of returning to the PBA. But if they play well under Jolas, then why disturb them? I have two more years under my contract with TNT.)

With Lastimosa at the helm, the Tropang Giga were able to dethrone rival Barangay Ginebra and reign supreme in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup behind import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Mikey Williams.

Reyes, though, didn't divulge the timeline of his possible return to TNT.

The 59-year-old tactician had been busy leading the national team for the past 19 months since he was reinstated in January 2022 to replace Tab Baldwin at the post, calling the shots in the 2019 SEA Games and most recently, the World Cup, where the Filipinos finished 24th overall among 32 teams.

Reyes previously said he is stepping aside from the Gilas program as the national team ended its campaign in the World Cup.

He said he is flying to Europe soon with his family.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News