Chot Reyes: Among the chosen few

September 26, 2009 | Posted by Benjie

PHOTO COURTESY: COACHCOM.PH

Vincent Reyes or more known as “Chot” Reyes will receive his fourth Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Coach of the Year award tomorrow night, September 27, 2009 at the Waterfront Manila Pavilion. Reyes is the only coach in the PBA to receive such tribute four times. He had his first in 1993 while coaching for Coney Island Ice Cream Stars, now known as the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants. He then shared the same award with Ryan Gregorio in 2002. He last won the honor in 2003 after leading the Coca-cola Tigers in three Finals appearances that season.

A degree holder in Interdisciplinary Studies from Ateneo de Manila University, Chot Reyes started his coaching career as an assistant to Coach Tim Cone at the Alaska Milkmen bench in the early ‘90s. His big break in coaching came in 1993 when he was hired by the Ayala-owned Coney Island Ice Cream making a record of winning the championship on his first try in the pro league. Reyes has won five PBA titles in three different teams so far. At present, he is one among the chosen few to coach a PBA-backed national team together with Robert Jaworski, Norman Black, Tim Cone, Jong Uichico and Yeng Guiao. Besides, he is one of the few to win the PBA Coach of the Year award more than once joining the ranks of Tim Cone, Perry Ronquillo and Ryan Gregorio.