KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – 35 year old Jai Reyes displayed a vintage performance at the Major Basketball League in Malaysia. In his first game back from Professional Basketball since last playing in 2020, the Founder of Filbasket (Filipino Basketball League) showed no signs of slowing down – dropping 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 triples for Malaysian Club, KL Aseel.
Reyes shot 10-of-17 (58.8% FG) from the field, and 3-of-6 (50% 3FG) from the three-point area in the 92-70 victory against Sunrise Youngsters. The 2-Time UAAP Champion and 2005 UAAP Rookie of the Year was awarded “Player of the Game”.
“I haven’t played competitive basketball since 2020, ever since I started Filbasket I took on more of a management role in the league. I just miss playing man.” Jai Reyes said in the post game interview.
This is Reyes’ first stint back internationally, last playing for the Saigon Heat in 2012-2013, and first basketball tournament since the Chooks-to-Go 3×3 in Laguna, where his team the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards placed 1st runner up.
His teammate and fellow Filipino-import, Jun Manzo made his international debut and had a statline of 18 points, 1 rebound, 2 assist and 1 steal for KL Aseel. The former UP Fighting Maroon shot 8-of-14 (57.1% FG) from the field, and 2-of-6 (33.3% 3FG) from downtown.
On November 18, 2022 (8:00 PM), Jai Reyes, Jun Manzo and the rest of the KL Aseel team will take on Head Coach Jeff Viernes and NS Matrix, the champions of the inaugural season of the MBL.
