DID Chot Reyes just do a Yeng Guiao?
At least during one stretch of Game 2 of the PBA Governors Cup finals, Reyes did an act reminiscent of the way the Rain or Shine mentor does his thing on the sidelines when the former refused to call a timeout for TNT at the height of a huge Barangay Ginebra run.
As Reyes explained, “I always tell my players if you dig a hole for yourself, make sure you know how to dig yourself out of that hole.
“So I said you put yourself into that hole, figure it out. Solve the problem.”
That sounds much like Guiao, who’s been notorious for not calling a timeout even if the opposing team is making a game-changing run against his squad.
While Guiao has had both successes and failures with his coaching ploy, this one saw the Tropang Giga respond to Reyes' challenge and do what they were supposed to do.
That sequence came at the eight-minute mark of the third quarter, as the Gin Kings went on a 7-0 run to take a 57-51 lead, highlighted by an RJ Abarrientos three at the corner that sent the pro-Ginebra crowd at the Smart Araneta Colseum into a frenzy.
But just when everybody thought – TNT players included – Reyes would sue for time, he didn’t.
“When they were telling me if I’m going to call a timeout, I said, 'No. Go on, play on,'” recalled Reyes.
To be fair, the Tropang Giga didn’t lose their composure, as Roger Pogoy drove to the basket for a quick two before Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Calvin Oftana hit back-to-back triples in between playing good defense to regain the upper hand, 59-57.
“And they did play on. And then we went on a counter run to go back up, and they (Ginebra) ended up calling that timeout,” said Reyes of those crucial moments.
“It’s just the things that we talked about and do as a team. We like to do different things, and that’s one of those things when the players are messing up, I tell them you have to clean up your own mess.”
Correct coach Chot
Hollis-Jefferson also thought Reyes should have called a timeout during that stretch when Ginebra appeared ready to take the momentum and had the partisan crowd back into the flow of the match.
“I looked at Chot like, ‘I think we should call a timeout,’” said the reigning Best Import, who had a near triple-double of 37 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.
“I think that’s phenomenal. At the end of the day, we’re all adults, we’re grown up. Understanding in some situations how to play basketball and details of it, how to be just focus and calm it down.”
TNT ultimately kept at bay the rallying Gin Kings on the way to a 96-84 win and a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven title series.
READ: RHJ, TNT back Ginebra against the wall with Game 2 masterclass
Incidentally, the situation reminded RHJ of one interview of the late legendary Kobe Bryant detailing about the same coaching style of the great Phil Jackson.
“He (Kobe) was talking about how Phil Jackson sits back and allows his players to figure it out,” he said.
“We (Tropang Giga) do a lot of breathing and meditation. And I think in those moments, it shows. It shows our character, it shows our belief. And he’s (Reyes) big on that. He instills that in the guys. And you see it. So we appreciate it and all the things that he bring to the table.”
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