QUEZON CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Quezon City Bureau) – It was a saving grace for controversial Gilas Pilipinas Coach Chot Reyes as the Philippines beat China in yesterday’s match at the FIBA World Cup.
Gilas won with a final score of 96-75.
The mostly Filipino crowd that jampacked the Araneta Coliseum rose in unison at game’s end to give Reyes a standing ovation.
This was in contrast to previous games where the hometown crowd booed and jeered the coach.
THE VATICAN (The Adobo Chronicles, Rome Bureau) – Gilas Pilipinas’ loss to Italy in last night’s do-or-die game in the ongoing FIBA World Cup is devastating to most Filipino basketball fans. But Pope Francis has missed reactions: sad and happy.
In a message sent to controversial Gilas coach Chot Reyes, the Pope empathized with the overwhelmingly Catholic country the Philippines but admitted he was happy that his home team Italy won the match.
Here is the Pope’s message to Gilas, courtesy of AI:
Dear members of Gilas Pilipinas,
“In this moment of both sorrow and unity, I extend my heartfelt condolences for your loss in the FIBA World Cup game against Italy. While saddened for the Philippines, I rejoice with Italy on their victory. Let the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie continue to bridge nations.”
TOKYO, Japan (The Adobo Chronicles, Tokyo Bureau) – Chot Reyes will not be able to step into Japan again following the Japanese government’s declaration of the controversial Gilas Pilipinas coach ‘persona non grata.’
The declaration, effective immediately, came in the wake of Reyes’ statement hoping that Japan loses its next game in the ongoing FIBA World Cup in the Philippines.
Reyes made the statement as his way out of criticism lodged against him for his incompetence in coaching the Philippine basketball team. The Philippines has so far lost two our of two games it has played.
The declaration, signed by no less than Emperor Naruhito, cited Reyes for his lack of sportsmanship and for disrespecting Japan, considering that its team is competing fair and square in the host country.
As persona non grata, Reyes is not welcome to visit Japan — not even to coach the Philippine team if ever it plays in a tournament in that country.
The Japanese government said it was unbecoming for the Filipino coach to make such a statement especially in light of his country’s new tourism campaign of “Love the Philippines.”
The Adobo Chronicles 
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