FORMER Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes had nothing but praise for his younger brother, Mike Reyes, who earned his very first championship in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) after steering the Southwestern University-Phinma Cobras to a thrilling, 64-60 win in the deciding Game Three on Friday evening, November 23, 2019.

In his post on his Facebook and Instagram accounts, the older Reyes claimed that the reason how his younger brother was able to resuscitate Cobras after a disastrous 2018 season is because he had already overcome so much more in his life.

“This makes me so, so proud. Coach @mikereyes0666 wins his 1st CESAFI title with SWU. In the post game interview he spoke about how his team overcame adversity. I guess they learned from their coach,” said Reyes.

“No one, I mean NO ONE I know has gone thru more adversity in his & his family’s life than Mike. For him to even be coaching now is a testament to his resilience, love for the game, and God’s grace. Just proves that it’s never too late; that no matter how impossible, things can be turned around. And that, to my mind, is the story of this championship. Well done bro, well done. Congratulations!”