Chot Reyes recalls FIBA World Cup boos as he receives 7th PBA Coach of the Year Award

TNT head coach Chot Reyes received his record-extending seventh PBA Press Corps Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan Coach of the Year Award during the media body’s 31st Awards Night held Monday at Novotel, Quezon City.

Reyes earned the accolade after leading TNT to two championships in the previous PBA season — winning both the Governors’ Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup. He came close to joining the elite group of coaches who have completed a Grand Slam, but TNT fell short in the Philippine Cup against the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen.

During his acceptance speech, Reyes reflected on one of the most unforgettable, and painful, moments of his coaching career: being booed by the home crowd during the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

“That was September 2, 2023, right next door (Smart Araneta Coliseum). The Philippines played China, and after the players were introduced, the coach was introduced, and I was roundly booed by my own home crowd. It was the deepest, darkest moment in my professional career,” Reyes shared, growing emotional as he recalled the incident.

“Never mind me, I guess I'm used to it, but when I looked behind me to where my family was seated, my wife and daughter were in near tears. At that moment, I thought I’d had enough of coaching, that I didn’t deserve everything that had happened so far.

“But apparently, God had other plans. I'm thankful to our management, Boss Ricky [Vargas], Boss MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan), for continuing to give me the opportunity and their trust. And now, we're here. Who would’ve thought, right?”

Reyes then reflected on the lessons he has learned throughout his coaching journey: the importance of the team, that success is not final and failure is not fatal, and always choosing the heart.

“In spite of all the hardships and adversity, we have so much to be grateful for. And on that note, I want to end by saying how grateful I am for this opportunity,” he concluded.

Other awardees of the PBA Press Corps Awards include: 

-Manny V. Pangilinan (Team owner: TNT) — Danny Floro Executive of the Year 

-Calvin Oftana (TNT) — Order of Merit

-Don Trollano (San Miguel) — Mr. Quality Minutes

-Zav Lucero (Magnolia) — Defensive Player of the Year

-Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser — William “Bogs” Adornado Comeback Player of the Year

-TNT vs. Barangay Ginebra, Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 7 — Game of the Season

-All-Rookie Team: Justine Baltazar (Converge), Kai Ballungay (Phoenix), Caelan Tiongson (Rain or Shine), Jordan Heading (Converge/TNT), Sedrick Barefield (Blackwater), RJ Abarrientos (Barangay Ginebra)

-Scoring Champion: Arvin Tolentino (NorthPort)

—JMB, GMA Integrated News