WHERE R THEY NOW: JUN REYES NOW DOING WELL IN A FIELD AWAY FROM BASKETBALL

GILBERT 'Jun' Reyes was in Manila during the holidays and took time out to watch PBA games, particularly those involving TNT where his brother Chot is the coach.

The younger Reyes is already based in Los Angeles, but tries to return to the Philippines whenever he can. He was also in Manila during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 to support his brother, who was then head coach of Gilas Pilipinas.

"We try to come here, visit as much as we can," said the 10-year PBA veteran. "Tulad last year lang, nandito kami. Tapos we plan to go back again next year. Pero during the pandemic, siyempre, hindi kami nakapunta."

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Most fans may know Reyes as a King Eagle at Ateneo and a key player at Alaska from 1992 to 1996. He was mainly a back-up to Aces star Johnny Abarrientos at point guard, including in the 1996 grand slam team under coach Tim Cone.

Reyes briefly joined Sta. Lucia in 1997, when his brother Chot was at the helm, before returning to Alaska for the final two years of his playing career. He also served as an assistant coach to Cone in the Aces bench from 1998 to 2003.

Currently, Reyes is a world away from basketball in the United States.

"Medical coder, sa healthcare industry ako eh," Reyes, who was the star of the Ateneo team that won the school's first UAAP championship in 1988, and former member of the Philippine Youth team, said when asked about his current job.

"Meron kaming mga kilalang may-ari ng school for medical coders. Ni-refer nila ako para mag-aral. So I studied for mga nine months and got certified as a medical coder siguro mga 20 years ago na. So 20 years na.

"I had other odd jobs before becoming a medical coder," said Reyes.

Reyes is doing so well in the US that he has a business of his own in the same field, which is why returning to the Philippines for good is out of the question.

"Hindi na siguro. Naka-settle down na kami sa US. We have a company of our own, medical coding din. So we are doing very well, very successful naman. So happy na kami. Very happy. Pero siyempre, nakaka-miss pa rin," said Reyes.

Reyes said he has totally stepped away from the game as he simply has no time to play. Even a foray into coaching is out of the question despite his vast knowledge of the game.

But when he comes home, he makes sure to watch as many basketball games as he can especially when his brother is on the sidelines.

"Hindi na (naglalaro). Puro trabaho lang and family. Totally, wala na akong involvement sa basketball. Masaya pag nakakauwi, nakakanood uli. Nami-miss rin namin. Kaya punta lang dito, we try basketball as much as we can," said Reyes.

Reyes is also happy with the success that his brother Chot is having with TNT especially after the Tropang Giga won the 2024 Governors’ Cup championship.

"Parati kaming susuporta," said Reyes after watching TNT beat Meralco at the Philsports Arena to open the year last January 7. "So we’re happy for him for his successes. Alam ko maraming basher pero mas marami ng mga supporters."

2025-01-22T04:13:34Z