During the FIBA World Cup 2023, Gilas Pilipinas Youth head coach Josh Reyes juggled dual responsibilities, assisting his father, Gilas head coach Chot Reyes, during the World Cup team's games and practices while dedicating late evenings to his U16 squad.
In preparation for the FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Doha, Qatar, Reyes believed in his talented group's potential to secure World Cup qualifications, with only the semifinalists earning berths in the FIBA U17 World Cup in Turkey the following year.
The Philippines started with a loss to China but rebounded strongly against Kazakhstan and Malaysia to reach the next stage. Facing South Korea, a team they had never beaten in a Youth tournament, Gilas Youth pulled off a stunning 95-71 victory led by Joaquin Gabriel Ludovice's impressive 25-point performance.
In the quarterfinals against Japan, Reyes' coaching brilliance, featuring a 3-2 zone defense, stifled the Japanese team. Despite challenges with three-point shooting, Kiefer Alas stepped up with 29 points and 9 rebounds, securing the win with crucial assists.
The victory over Japan cemented the Philippines as one of the top two U16 teams in Asia, ensuring their participation in the FIBA U17 World Cup the following year. Coach Josh Reyes might not have aimed to change opinions, but the result spoke for itself, marking a significant achievement for the team and their coach.
Now, is he a good candidate for the head coaching job of Gilas Pilipinas?
I will not answer that yet. But what make it an interesting discussion is the reality that he managed to create a superb defensive squad with players that seems not to have the tools to do so.
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