The TNT Tropang Giga will be bringing back its most successful coach, the team announced on Saturday.
Vincent "Chot" Reyes, five-time PBA Coach of the Year, will be back in his second tour of duty with the premier franchise of the Manny V. Pangilinan group.
He piloted the franchise to four championships from 2009-2012, becoming the most dominant franchise at the turn of the decade.
Reyes also led Gilas Pilipinas' renaissance in the international scene, coaching the Philippine team to its first FIBA World Cup appearance since 1978.
"It's like a homecoming for Chot. He is a coach that gave us four championships. We look forward to a successful relationship with Coach Chot," said Ricky Vargas, team governor and Chairman of PBA Board of Governors. "We would like to thank TNT Tropang GIGA Active Consultant Mark Dickel for all that he has done for the team. He brought us to the PBA Finals twice in the two years that he was onboard. We wish him well as he moves on to new endeavors," Vargas added.
According to Vargas, Reyes wanted Dickel to retain his position, but the New Zealand-Australian coach went to look for other opportunities and had been recuperating from his recent operation he had in Las Vegas.
"Basketball is in the DNA of Filipinos, especially us at PLDT and Smart. That is why we are looking forward to working with Coach Chot as he leads TNT Tropang GIGA in the coming PBA season," said Al Panlilio, Smart President and CEO and PLDT Chief Revenue Officer.
The 57-year-old mentor expressed his elation in his reunion with the team.
"Throughout my career, I have always tried to live according to my passion and purpose. My passion has always been coaching and building teams, whether in sports or business. And my purpose is to further the advancement of Filipino coaches, so we can, in turn, help develop the next generation of Filipino leaders," mentioned the decorated coach.
"Coaching again in the PBA provides me an excellent platform to advance this advocacy. I have spent the best years of my career as a ka-Tropa, and I look forward to this new challenge," he added.
Former head coach Bong Ravena, on the other hand, will remain with the team as an assistant coach and will be joined by Sandy Arespacochaga, Alton Lister, Josh Reyes, Ranidel De Ocampo, and Yuri Escueta.