Tiffany Reyes proves worth with game-winner vs S. Korea
At A Glance
- Tiffany Reyes showed up and proved that she really belongs in the Gilas Pilipinas women's team.
Tiffany Reyes showed up and proved that she really belongs in the Gilas Pilipinas women’s team.
Reyes gave the Philippines a glimpse of hope after nailing the game-winning clutch jumper to defeat South Korea, 77-75, for the team's first victory in the 2025 FIBA U-16 Women’s Asia Cup on Wednesday night, Sept. 24, at Seremban, Malaysia.
Reyes, who celebrated her 15th birthday in style, got the minutes in crunch time and did not disappoint despite South Korea’s big surge in the fourth.
“Our team struggled a lot in the first two games and even today. But I am thankful to my teammates and to coach Pat Aquino, the women’s basketball program director, that he gave me the confidence to knock down that shot for the win,” Reyes said.
The 5-foot-11 daughter of former Philippine Basketball Association big man Jay-R Reyes finished the game with 16 points, including four triples, three rebounds and four blocks.
Reyes is currently No. 4 in three-point shooting field goals made with 16.
The Gilas Pilipinas U16 squad will meet China on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. in the qualification for semifinal slot.
“My priority is to help my team if I am inside the court,” she added. “I must be ready all the time. We will do our best in our next game.”
Reyes has honed her skills in training at Cincinnati, USA a few months ago that enhanced her mental toughness and physical game despite her lanky frame under a great trainer coach Dante Harlan who trained Filipino players like Kai Sotto, Jack Animam and Sage Tolentino.
While in the Philippines, Reyes is guided and trained by skills trainer coach Paolo Gorospe.