Chot Reyes is out as Gilas Pilipinas coach but will remain involved in the national team's program.
The Philippines, jointly with Japan and Indonesia, will host the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) since winning the bid in December 2017 has been working on a list of possible players for that roster. With Reyes initially in the lead, the SBP named 23 players to be a part of the pool that they hope will compete in 2023.
"I've been asked by SBP Chairman MVP [Manny V. Pangilinan] to continue to be involved in the future plans for 2023 no longer as a coach but in other ways," Reyes told ESPN5. "I'll help out in putting the program together, in making sure that it is professionally run and managed well."
With the focus now on the bid to qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, Reyes will help prepare for the future.
Since the naming of the 23 for 2023 pool, there has been a rise in the interest surrounding the Batang Gilas program as Filipino basketball fans wanted to see the development of young talented players who could be battling the world's best in 2023.
Some of the members of that pool participated in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina. Some were also part of the team that finished fourth in the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship which allowed them to qualify for the 2019 Under-19 World Cup in Greece next year.
"We already assembled a good young core in AJ Edu, Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo, Dalph Panopio," Reyes said. "We have to nurture that core."