Filipino basketball fans couldn’t hide their disappointment towards the gesture made by the Cambodian national basketball team’s coach Harry Savaya.
On May 11, Cambodia defeated Gilas Pilipinas in the group phase of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
The game became controversial after Savaya called a late timeout even if it was already sure that Cambodia would win the game.
Members of Gilas couldn’t hide their disappointment and confronted Savaya and accused the Lebanese coach of being disrespectful.
"Have some f*cking respect."
Gilas Pilipinas guard Chris Ross is furious at Cambodia's head coach, who called a late timeout despite the hosts already set for the win. #SEAGames32 #Cambodia2023 pic.twitter.com/rmJvMZaiZz
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) May 11, 2023
Savaya also irked Gilas and basketball fans after doing a ‘night night’ gesture during the game.
However, on May 16, it seems that Reyes got his revenge against Savaya after Gilas Pilipinas took the gold during their final match with Cambodia.
In a video posted by Rueben Terrado, it can be seen that Reyes was also doing the same gesture Savaya did during the first meeting while approaching the Lebanese coach.
However, the two remained calm and shook hands after the incident.
But some netizens also opposed the action made by Reyes.
“Not classy. That’s not an attitude of a champion nor showing sportsmanship. Show them we are better than them by not mocking them esp. coming from a head coach. Hats off Gilas Pilipinas!” netizen Kru said.
“Pinakita lang ni Coach Chot na malakas tayong Pinoy mang lait. Haha,” netizen Jai Galvez said.
After the game, Savaya praised the players of Gilas Pilipinas but not Reyes and even offered to teach a lesson to the Filipino coach.
READ: Cambodia coach Harry Savaya may mensahe kay coach Chot Reyes: “I can teach him, if he wants”