Chot: Criticism could make or break Ryan Reyes

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

After a late collapse by Talk ‘N Text in Game Three of its semifinal series against Petron Blaze, Tropang Texters workhorse guard Ryan Reyes received harsh criticism from his coach, Chot Reyes. The player, according to the coach, refused to follow instructions not to leave his man Alex Cabagnot in a crucial play, leading to the latter’s go-ahead three pointer.

“Ryan has problems following instructions. I shouldn’t field him in that situation. But it’s my fault. It was a coaching error on my part,” said Chot Reyes.

A couple of days later, the coach stood firm on his comments on his player.

“We will find out tomorrow what effect it will have on him, but such is adversity – it either breaks you or makes you stronger. For Ryan, I am betting on the latter,” Chot wrote in a text message to InterAKTV.

Ryan Reyes is nor stranger to adversity. Last season, he helped Talk ‘N Text win the Philippine Cup title despite having to attend the funeral of his younger brother in the United States midway through the series.

But the guard’s manager Charlie Dy defended his ward’s performance in the series, revealing that Reyes has been nursing an injury, a swollen foot that affects his mobility.

“I told him that since you’re still playing hurt, you have to tell them if you can still play or not,” said Dy.

“Kung hindi ka kasi makakatulong bakit ka pa maglalaro? But he wants to play and wants to help his team.”

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