Mike Reyes stings with venom from the SWU-Phinma Cobras

CEBU, Philippines —  He’s one of the sharpest and most tactical coaches that has ever landed in Cebu basketball.

And one of the coolest too. So soft-spoken and calm in his demeanor that you won’t know whether he’s angry or not during crucial situations on the hardcourt.

His first major stint as bench strategist came when he was hired as assistant of coach Aric del Rosario with the Pampanga Dragons in the inaugural season of the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) in 1998.

Two months later, he was tapped as head coach of the Iloilo Volts.

After the MBA folded up in 2002, Mike Reyes opened a new chapter in his career as deputy of legendary Cebuano coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba with the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu Jewelers in the commercial circuit.

As Alcoseba’s trusted lieutenant, Reyes won multiple titles both local and national in scope.

When Cebu’s commercial league faded away in mid 2000s, Reyes found his way with the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI).

 As assistant of Jay Ramirez, they made it to the CESAFI Finals for two consecutive seasons in 2006 and 2007 but were denied of crowning glory by the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers of coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug in those occasions.

He was later on commissioned as head coach of the Warriors but when Alcoseba re-entered the collegiate coaching scene with the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras in 2011, Reyes decided to reunite with his former chief.

They were downed by the June Mar Fajardo-led University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters during their title showdown that year, but Alcoseba and Reyes bounced back big time by powering the Cobras to the CESAFI championship in 2012. That cemented their storied tandem.

When Alcoseba left SWU to call the shots for the UC Webmasters in a shock move that rattled Cebu’s premiere inter-school athletic league, Reyes took over the coaching reins of the Cobras in 2017.

After two years of hard toil, Reyes finally savored the sweet nectar of success as head coach when he steered the Cobras to the CESAFI crown last year.

Fighting with great resolve against all odds, Reyes and the Cobras dethroned three-time defending champions UV Green Lancers to end their five-year title drought.

Led by Senegalese student-athlete Lamine Thiam and season MVP Sir Shaquille Imperial, the other members of the SWU-Phinma Cobras 2019 CESAFI champion team were William Rosebelt Polican, Red Louis Cachuela, Allyn Dyll Roncal, Gerald Fernandez, Louie Jay Nazareno, Harvey Kent Sanchez, Heider Bilao, Rheyeb Ian Boc, Throy Joshua Cabahug, King Matthew Cabansay, John Joseph Evardo, and Kenneth Macasarte,

Reyes said their two years of hard work and sacrifice coupled with the all-out support of the SWU-Phinma management enabled the Cobras to reach greater heights.

“Our first two losing years propelled us to the much needed maturity of the team. Perseverance, hard work and humility of our players were a key factor and of course Lamine Thiam plus the full support of SWU-Phinma management,” Reyes shared.

Reyes said he feels good about winning a championship for the first time as head coach but he is most proud for molding not only topnotch athletes but also outstanding students.

“I felt fulfilled and satisfied. When coach Yayoy resigned, the school’s direction was to develop full-time student athletes with emphasis on ‘student’. The team’s first two losing years was a testimony towards that goal. If I am not mistaken, malaki ang pinagbago ng grades ng mga players namin,” said Reyes.

Unfortunately, the Cobras won’t be able to defend their throne as the CESAFI cancelled its entire 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Reyes took it a consolation though even as they also prepare and brace themselves for whatever is in store for them in the future.

“At least we’re aware that we can’t defend our championship. Our consolation is that we will keep the title for another year,” said Reyes. “The best we can all do is to prepare and equip ourselves for the coming months or years.”