‘Deepest cut’: Chot Reyes recalls difficult decision in forming Gilas Final 12

Out of the 16-man Gilas Pilipinas pool, solely 12 gamers have been chosen to symbolize the nation within the 2023 FIBA World Cup set to be co-hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia throughout 4 venues.

For head coach Chot Reyes, breaking the news to Thirdy Ravena, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, and Ray Parks — those who did not make the ultimate reduce — was most likely one of many tough jobs he needed to do.

The Gilas coach recalled the day he needed to make that speak to the 4 gamers and harassed he made it as a dedication to himself to personally ship the unlucky growth.

“I was very subdued after practice because I told them the coaching staff is about to make a very tough decision but it falls on me to deliver the news and the way I like to do it is that I called the players themselves,” Reyes stated on Thursday throughout a press convention on the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“That’s my commitment to the players. They’re not going to find out about it on social media or from any other person but from me. I talked to Thirdy personally, I made a call myself to Ray, Calvin, and to Chris. I called them all.”

Ravena and Parks did not see any single minute of motion throughout Gilas Pilipinas’ last three-game tuneup clashes towards Ivory Coast, Montenegro, and Mexico, indicators pointing that the 2 will not be a part of the ultimate lineup. Oftana, too, missed the primary two friendlies however suited up within the last recreation towards the Mexicans.

Newsome, then again, was really included within the lineup in all three video games. In truth, the Meralco Bolts guard stays in attendance throughout Gilas practices and was seen becoming a member of the workforce prepare on Wednesday night time on the Big Dome.

Reyes stated the 4 cagers, who’ve been with Gilas since opening camp for the worldwide cagefest, have been integral a part of this system and added that they did not do something mistaken to not get a spot within the last roster.

LOOK: Gilas Pilipinas is at the moment holding observe right here at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Final 12 plus Chris Newsome are current @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/9vbnhQyl0G

— Bea Micaller (@beamicallerrr) August 23, 2023

“Very difficult. I like to call it the deepest cut. Really difficult. Some guys we had to cut were there from day one,” Reyes stated.

“So it was difficult for us and like I told them, it’s not because of what they did wrong or what they lack, it’s just we had to make a choice. In the end, we had 16 guys and we could only choose 12.”

“For me, that’s really a coach’s most difficult job.”

The last 12 of Gilas Pilipinas consists of Rhenz Abando, Japeth Aguilar, Jordan Clarkson, AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, Jamie Malonzo, CJ Perez, RR Pogoy, Dwight Ramos, Kiefer Ravena, Kai Sotto, and Scottie Thompson.

Gilas will open their marketing campaign within the FIBA World Cup on Friday towards Dominican Republic on the Philippine Arena. They will play Angola on August 27 and Italy on August 29.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News