Gilas mentor Chot Reyes says gay player 'not an issue' coaching-wise

Philippine men's basketball national team (or Gilas) mentor Chot Reyes said having a gay player on a team that he is coaching would not be an issue for him, in the wake of NBA center Jason Collins revealing his sexuality.

Collins, a 34-year-old NBA veteran, became the first active gay player in one of the four big American sports of basketball, football, baseball and hockey, on Monday, via a personal statement that was the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine.

In an interview with GMA News' Mav Gonzales, Reyes said, "I admire his [Collins] courage, but I don't think magkakaroon ng effect sa career niya to'.

"Until the end, he's still going to be valued on his ability as a basketball player pa rin, more than anything else."

Reyes was also asked about rumors of a gay PBA player, to which he replied, "There's always been rumors in the past, but none have been proven, so I really don't know kung meron dito sa PBA.

"But if there were, I'm just speaking for myself as a coach, on any team that I coach, it's not going to be an issue really."

However, some of the players interview by Gonzales were a bit more reluctant confronting the possibility of a gay teammate.

NLEX Road Warrior and FEU Tamaraw RR Garcia said, "Bilang teammate niya siyempre ma-iilang talaga ako."

Talk 'N Text Tropang Texter Ranidel Ocampo opined, "Sa panahon ngayon tanggap na natin lahat," but added, "Siyempre magugulat ako kasi bading pala siya tapos kasama ko siya maglaro.

"Halimbawa magkasama kami sa isang room, or sa mga locker room siguro naman mapaguusapan ng mabuti yun." - AMD, GMA News