May 18, 2021

Reyes, Tropang Giga pitch camp in Laoag



EIGHT-TIME PBA champion coach Chot Reyes signals his return to PBA coaching in bringing the TNT Tropang Giga to bubble training in Laoag, Ilocos Norte today.

Reyes and his Tropang Giga hop over to the Queen City of the North, taking the lead of the Meralco Bolts in setting up training camp in Laoag upon the invitation of provincial governor Matthew Manotoc.

Coach Norman Black and his Bolts have been sweating it out at the Laoag Centennial Arena for two days now.

"As the first PBA team to resume practices, our goal is to lead the way and show how sports and safety can go hand in hand," said Black.

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Reyes confirmed to @OneSportsPHL that they're also pitching camp in Laoag from May 19 to 31.

A four-time champion coach with TNT, Reyes is back on TNT saddle, taking over from Kiwi mentor Mark Dickel.

From their Clark bubble lineup, major makeovers are the return of Kelly Williams and the absence of Bobby Ray Parks Jr.

Minus Williams, the Tropang Giga still put up a big fighting showing in Season 45 Philippine Cup, placing second behind eventual champ Barangay Ginebra.

The Smart/PLDT franchise has been without a crown since winning the 2014-15 Commissioner's Cup under coach Jong Uichico.

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Reyes, meanwhile, has been away from the PBA scene since taking the Gilas Pilipinas rein and guiding the team to the 2012 Jones Cup championship then to the return stint in the FIBA World Championship in 2014.

From his Gilas stint, Reyes moved over to holding top position on TV5 then becoming busy on corporate/team building talks. (SB)