GILAS Pilipinas Youth coach Josh Reyes faces a make-or-break week.
A source told SPIN.ph that the young Reyes faces a final assessment at the end of Gilas Youth's campaign in the FIBA Under-18 Asia Cup set to tip off in Amman, Jordan on September 2.
Reyes and the team left Manila early in the week.
SPIN.ph tried to contact officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas but they have yet to respond. But an insider bared the country’s basketball federation is already in the process of evaluating its elite youth program.
READ Andy Gemao leads Gilas Youth team to FIBA U18 Asia Cup
The son of longtime Gilas Pilipinas men's coach has been at the helm of the youth program for years now, but calls for his ouster grew louder after the team finished deadlast at the Fiba Under-17 World Cup last month.
“Malakas ang call for his head. Pero syempre, iba naman ang dynamics ng program. Hindi naman porket hinihiling ng mob, papalitan agad,” said a source. "May process. And the coming Fiba U-18 Asia Cup will be the last evaluation for Josh."
Although Gilas Youth suffered embarrassing losses in an injury-hit campaign at the Basketball Under-17 World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey, it was Reyes and the team's impressive finish at the Fiba U16 in Doha, Qatar in 2022 that got them there.
Under Reyes, Gilas Youth also ruled the SEABA tournament last month to punch a ticket to the Fiba U-18 Asia Cup.
Sources bared there's still a chance that Reyes will be retained, more so if the team plays well in the Fiba U-18 Asia Cup slated from September 2 to 9, where the Philippines will face New Zealand, Jordan and Indonesia in the group stage.
“So it is up to the team to respond. If maganda ang maging performance nila sa Fiba U18 Asia, may chance na mag-stay pa si Josh. If lackluster ulit, then change will happen soon,” said the source.
Another insider bared: "Everything is up for evaluation. There are processes we need to undergo because we are always in pursuit of great things for the team."
Although the SBP has no list of candidates, the names of UP Maroons coach Goldwin Monteverde and Jones Cup champion coach Charles Tiu are being floated as worthy replacements if a change happens.
“Wait natin ang result ng Jordan trip. Understand that the SBP listens to the messages of the fans and its stakeholders. Nangyari ang changes sa men’s [team]. So, hindi imposible na may changes din sa youth,” said the source.
“[SBP president] Mr. Al Panlilio is on top of all these evaluations and had made gutsy decisions since nung [2023 Manila] World Cup that has improved the men’s team in general” he added.
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