Former basketball star Jerry Codiñera shared a story about a heated moment with his then-Purefoods TJ Hotdogs head coach, Vincent “Chot” Reyes, during a PBA out-of-town game in Cebu in the early 1990s.
Speaking on DWAR Abante Radyo Sportalakan, Codiñera recalled that Reyes challenged him to a fistfight at halftime of their game against the San Miguel Beermen.
“Magkasama kami sa Cebu noon, San Miguel ang kalaban. Halftime sa Cebu, hinamon ako ng suntukan ang sabi, ‘Ikaw pare, suntukan na lang tayo!'” Codiñera said.
His response? He chose to walk away. “Ang sabi ko, ‘Sorry, coach.’ Wala, hindi na ako (sumagot). Parehong pressured. Iniisip ko pa rin ‘yung team eh,” he added.
Codiñera also mentioned that Reyes confronted TJ Hotdogs star Alvin Patrimonio about his performance.
“Sabi niya (Reyes kay Alvin), ‘Iniisip mo ba ‘yung kontrata mo?’ Ang sagot ni Alvin, ‘Hindi po. Laban lang ako,’” Codiñera shared.
His recollection surfaced following Reyes’ heated exchange with TNT Tropang Giga center John Paul Erram during Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Sunday night.
