Inaako ni Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes ang responsibilidad para sa ‘still-winless’ campaign ng Team PH sa 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Kamakailan ay malungkot na tinanggap ng mga Pinoy ang panibagong kabiguan ng Gilas sa World Cup debutant na South Sudan, 87-68, para maitsapuwera sa agawan sa nag-iisang Asian slot para makapasok sa 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I’ve [apologized] numerous times [to the fans]. I have already said that I’m really sorry that we were not able to deliver and I take full accountability,” Reyes said in the post-game press conference.
Sinabi rin ni Reyes na hindi na dapat gawing excuse ang “learning experience” dahil may sapat nang karanasan ng Gilas matapos itong sumabak sa global cagefest sa ikatlong sunod na pagkakataon ngayon. Ang Pilipinas ay nanalo ng isang laro noong 2014 ngunit na-bokya noong 2019.
May isa pang laban ang Gilas laban sa China subalit maraming Pinoy basketball fans ang duda kung kakayanin pa nilang tapusin ang FIBA games kahit may isang panalo.
“No [this was not a learning experience]. This was a time for us to win and execute. The learning was supposed to happen way back. This was the time for us to win. And like I said, we didn’t get the job done,” dagdag pa ni Chot.
Gayunpaman, pinuri niya ang mga young guns ng Gilas tulad nina AJ Edu, Dwight Ramos, at Kai Sotto.
“But for the guys like AJ, we have a lot of young guys Kai, Dwight, they definitely grew from this experience and learned a lot. There’s a lot to look forward to for those guys,” giit ni Coach Chot.