Chot Reyes withdrew himself from consideration as the Gilas Pilipinas coach for the FIBA Asia Championship next year, effectively stepping down from his coaching post.
In a statement he gave to TV5's news site Interaksyon.com, Reyes, who also heads the TV station's sports arm, Sports5, said, "I understand the Search Committee is scheduled to meet this week. In this light, I humbly request that my name would not be considered by the Committee as a candidate for the national team coach of Smart Gilas Pilipinas. This will allow the Committee to do its work unencumbered, take a broader view of other potential candidates to this national job, and enable the Gilas program to move on unfettered. Indeed, it is time for someone else take over the wheel; it is time for me to hand over that wheel."
Reyes, a multi-titled coach in the PBA, thanked the Gilas management led by SBP President Manny Pangilinan for its trust on him in his two years as Gilas coach.