Chot back as TNT coach; Cone unsure on Gilas

MANILA, Philippines — TNT is setting the course for its campaign in PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup with nine-time champion Chot Reyes back at the helm.

Reyes is reassuming the head coaching position after serving the past two conferences as the team’s senior consultant.

With Reyes’ return, announced by the team yesterday, interim mentor Jojo Lastimosa reverted to his old role as team manager.

Lastimosa manned the fort for the PLDT franchise while Reyes focused on his duties for Gilas Pilipinas during the FIBA World Cup on home soil last year.

Concurrently serving as coach and team manager, Lastimosa steered the Tropang Giga to the Season 47 Governors’ Cup diadem at the expense of holder Barangay Ginebra last April and led them to the quarterfinals of the ongoing Season 47 Commissioner’s Cup.

Following this reshuffle, TNT also signed Lastimosa to an extension that will keep him in his managerial post up to the end of 2026.

Meanwhile, nothing is cast in stone yet as far as Tim Cone being named as permanent head coach of Gilas Pilipinas is concerned.

Albeit the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has shown massive interest on Cone after an interview for the top coaching position in the country, the Ginebra mentor said “nothing’s definite” yet following reports citing that he is already the chosen one.

“There’s nothing to ask me about Gilas. There’s nothing going on. We’ve had some conversations but nothing’s been done (yet) so far. I think everybody has jumped the gun on this,” said Cone.

“I think it’s up to the SBP. They’re up in the air about it. I’ve had some conversations with them but there’s nothing definite. I think you have to wait for their announcement on how they want to do it exactly,” he said.