Josh Reyes steps down as Gilas Pilipinas Youth head coach

Josh Reyes stepped down as the head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas Youth program, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced on Friday.

Reyes had his first head coaching opportunity for the youth program back in the 2018 U-18 Asian Championship where the Philippines had its best finish in the tourney since 1992 as it placed fourth.

Prior to that, he also had involvement with the team in the FIBA U-16 Asian Championship back in 2017.

Reyes last handled the Gilas Youth team in the 2024 FIBA U18 Asia Cup where the country finished 10th.

“We thank Coach Josh for his service to the SBP and to the country in leading the Gilas Youth program for the past six years,” SBP President Al Panlilio said in a statement.

“While he leaves his role as head coach, he will still be part of the SBP organization as an assistant to coach Tim Cone for Gilas Pilipinas Men.”

Reyes, meanwhile, said he is proud of the achievements the Gilas Youth team, particularly in steering the country to two editions of the World Cup, one for U-17 in 2018 and U-19 in 2019.

“I’m proud of those achievements but I’m more proud of the relationships I’ve built with our teams. Seeing them succeeding in their basketball careers and being better individuals after their Gilas Youth service outweighs anything that we achieved on the court,” Reyes explained.

“I’m also thankful to our coaching staff and the support staff. We went through many ups and downs but they always showed belief through the challenges.”

Reyes said he will now focus more on his family, while also being part of the senior team's coaching staff.

“But now I have two young kids at home and the time away is starting to become heavier so I’m looking forward to having more time for my family while still being a part of coach Tim’s staff. I’m at peace with how my Gilas Youth journey reached its completion," said Reyes.

SBP, meanwhile, said it will announce the youth team's new coach in the upcoming weeks.

“We are already having discussions within the SBP,” said SBP Executive Director Erika Dy.

“We thank Coach Josh for helping us streamline our processes as this will be valuable to the program moving forward. The focus remains to be continuity and synergy with Gilas Men and a stronger connection with our current Grassroots Program under coach Norman Black.”

—JKC, GMA Integrated News