Harry Savaya Praises Philippine Team Despite SEA Games Loss
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PHNOM PENH — Despite his team's loss to the Philippines in the gold medal match of the 32nd SEA Games, Cambodia's Lebanese head coach Harry Savaya had nothing but praises for his Filipino counterpart, Chot Reyes.
Savaya, who drew the ire of some for a late timeout and taunting gestures, said he had things he could teach Reyes about coaching as the latter had some complaints about the conditions in the biennial meet. According to Savaya, he only convened the Cambodian national team four days before the SEA Games and their results in the competition given the circumstances made him proud. "Four days of preparation to come here and be second after beating the Philippines? I'm more than proud."
Unlike the Cambodians, the Filipinos had some struggles in the beginning of the tournament as Reyes complained about the conditions at the Morodok Elephant Hall, that led to dehydration and cramps. "He (Reyes) blamed the weather, he blamed everything, he blamed the players, I don't do that," Savaya said on Tuesday. "I can teach him if he wants—about coaching in Europe, and everywhere, the places that he's never been."
But Savaya said he had plenty of respect for the Philippine national team, particularly to Justin Brownlee whom he said he knew as the latter played in Lebanon in the past. "We all know the Philippines. At least eight of their players were in the World Cup qualifiers. They're gonna go to the World Cup. It's a big team. I respect them, I respect their fans, I respect everyone. They did a great job," he said. "First game, we made our shots. It's basketball. If you score and play good defense then you win. Today, we couldn't make those same shots, and the Philippines scored them. It was fair game."
Savaya said that despite the loss, it was still a good game and he had nothing but respect for the Philippine team. He also said that he was proud of his team's performance given the short time he had to prepare them for the tournament.
"And it was a good game, I respect them. Great job for them," Savaya said. "Four days of preparation to come here and be second after beating the Philippines? I'm more than proud."
The SEA Games gold medal match between Cambodia and the Philippines was a thrilling game that saw the Filipinos prevail to reclaim the throne. Despite the loss, Harry Savaya had nothing but praises for his Philippine counterpart and his team. Savaya also said he had things he could teach Reyes about coaching and that he was proud of his team's performance given the short time he had to prepare them for the tournament.
