Rob Reyes

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Rob Reyes

| image =

| image_size =

| number =

| position =

| league =

| team =

| nationality = Filipino / American

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|3|16}}

| birth_place = Maryland

| death_date =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 6

| weight_lbs = 215

| high school =

| college = Flagler College (2002–2006)

| draft_year_pba = 2008

| draft_round_pba = 1

| draft_pick_pba = 4

| draft_team_pba = Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters

| career_start = 2008

| career_end = 2016

| career_position = Center / power forward

| years1 = 2008–2009

| team1 = Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters

| years2 = 2009–2010

| team2 = Barako Bull Energy Boosters

| years3 = 2010–2011

| team3 = Powerade Tigers

| years4 = 2011–2012

| team4 = Petron Blaze Boosters

| years5 = 2012–2013

| team5 = Air21 Express

| years6 = 2013–2015

| team6 = Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters

| years7 = 2015–2016

| team7 = NLEX Road Warriors

| highlights = * 2× PBA champion (2008–09 Philippine, 2015 Commissioner's)

| high_school = La Salle Green Hills (Mandaluyong)
Oviedo High (Florida)

}}

Robert Reyes is a Filipino-American former professional basketball player. He last played for the NLEX Road Warriors of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He spent his college years in the United States at Flagler College. He was drafted fourth overall in the 2008 PBA draft by the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters.

He announced his retirement on his Instagram account on December 15, 2016, after playing for eight years in the PBA. He decided to spend his post-retirement stage in the United States with his family.

Early life and amateur career

Reyes was born in Bethesda, Maryland.{{Cite news |last=Orellana |first=Joel |date=May 4, 2006 |title=Tall Fil-Am first to sign up for PBA |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vUtaAAAAIBAJ&dq=rob+reyes+%22flagler%22&pg=PA15 |access-date=September 1, 2024 |work=The Manila Times |pages=B7}} He played for La Salle Green Hills in the Philippines for one year.{{Cite web |last=Reyes |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Reyes |date=October 23, 2012 |title=Rob Reyes: The Fil-Am adjustment and learning the Pinoy style of play {{!}} InterAKTV |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rob-reyes-the-fil-am-adjustment-and-learning-the-pinoy-style-of-play |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213172659/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rob-reyes-the-fil-am-adjustment-and-learning-the-pinoy-style-of-play |archive-date=2012-12-13 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=InterAKTV}} He then moved back to the US and played at Oviedo High, where he was awarded Student-Athlete of the Year. In college, he played for Flagler College.

After Reyes graduated, he wanted to play in the PBA. However, the PBA had revised its rules, requiring Filipino-Americans to play in the PBL, a semi-professional league, at least one year. He played for the Harbour Centre Batang Pier, helping them win their first PBL championship.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2008-07-07 |title=Fil-Ams Mercado, Reyes apply for PBA draft |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/105590/fil-ams-mercado-reyes-apply-for-pba-draft/story/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}} He also won Best Defensive Player and was a Mythical Team selection in his time there.

Reyes applied for the 2006 PBA draft, but the Bureau of Immigration failed to recognize his passport in time, so he backed out and returned to Harbour Centre.{{Cite web |last=Cordero |first=Abac |date=August 6, 2006 |title=BI bureaucracy forces Fil-Ams out |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2006/08/06/351249/bi-bureaucracy-forces-fil-ams-out |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Philstar.com}} Two years later, he was successfully able to apply for the PBA draft.

Professional career

= Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters =

Reyes was selected fourth overall in the 2008 PBA Draft by the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters.{{cite news |last=Ulanday |first=John Bryan |date=December 15, 2016 |title=End of the road for PBA journeyman Rob Reyes |url=http://www.foxsportsasia.com/en-ph/news/end-road-pba-journeyman-rob-reyes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221070122/http://www.foxsportsasia.com/en-ph/news/end-road-pba-journeyman-rob-reyes/ |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |accessdate=December 15, 2016 |publisher=Fox Sports Asia}} He and Talk 'N Text's other draftees Jayson Castro and Jared Dillinger made their debut in a win over the Coca-Cola Tigers in the 2008–09 Philippine Cup.{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2008 |title=Tropang Texters bumandera agad |url=https://www.philstar.com/palaro/2008/10/05/404887/tropang-texters-bumandera-agad |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Philstar.com}} Talk 'N Text went on to win the championship that conference. Early in the second conference in his rookie season, he tore his ACL during practice.{{Cite web |last=Reyes |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Reyes |date=October 3, 2012 |title=Rob Reyes: The long journey back from an ACL injury {{!}} InterAKTV |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rob-reyes-the-long-journey-back-from-an-acl-injury |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213164159/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rob-reyes-the-long-journey-back-from-an-acl-injury |archive-date=2012-12-13 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=InterAKTV}}

= Barako Bull Energy Boosters =

In the offseason, Reyes was traded to the Barako Bull Energy Boosters.{{Cite web |last=Reyes |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Reyes |date=September 16, 2012 |title=Rob Reyes: That familiar unfamiliar feeling {{!}} InterAKTV |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rob-reyes-that-familiar-unfamiliar-feeling |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122035032/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rob-reyes-that-familiar-unfamiliar-feeling |archive-date=2012-11-22 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=InterAKTV}} That would be most productive season, as he averaged 5.3 points and five rebounds in over 24 minutes of play.

= Powerade Tigers =

In 2010, Reyes and a second round pick were sent to the Powerade Tigers in a 5-player, three-team trade.{{Cite web |last=Joble |first=Rey |date=2010-09-22 |title=Taulava joins Meralco in 5-player, 3-team trade |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/201663/taulava-joins-meralco-in-5-player-3-team-trade/story/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}} After the 2010–11 season ended, despite getting a one-year contract offer from Powerade, he decided to retire and move to Florida to be with his family.

= Petron Blaze Boosters =

Reyes was then offered a one-year deal by the Petron Blaze Boosters, who had just lost in the 2011 Governors' Cup finals. After the 2011–12, Petron extended his contract.

= Air21 Express =

On August 23, 2012, a trade was approved that sent him and Nonoy Baclao to the Air21 Express.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2012-08-23 |title=PBA: Air21 loads up via three-team trade with Petron, Ginebra |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/basketball/270862/pba-air21-loads-up-via-three-team-trade-with-petron-ginebra/story/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}} Against his former team during the 2012–13 Philippine Cup, he scored 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting with six rebounds to help Air21 get the win.{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2012 |title=Reyes big for Express as birthday-boy Racela left to endure nightmare |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/reyes-big-for-express-as-birthday-boy-racela-left-to-endure-nightmare |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} In their match against the Alaska Aces, he was seen hitting the Aces' Calvin Abueva in the face with an open hand. Reyes denied that he hit Abueva and was just trying to stand up, and claimed that Abueva pulled his jersey, causing both of them to fall down. Referees didn't see the play, so he wasn't given a technical foul.{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2012 |title=Reyes says he didn't hit Abueva intentionally as fury at 'cheap shot' grows |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/reyes-says-he-didnt-hit-abueva-intentionally-as-fury-at-cheap-shot-grows?ref=article_tag |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} He was fined P10,000 for his actions and for taunting Abueva.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2012-11-17 |title=PBA: Air21's Rob Reyes fined P10,000 for hitting, taunting Alaska's Calvin Abueva |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/basketball/282664/pba-air21-s-rob-reyes-fined-p10-000-for-hitting-taunting-alaska-s-calvin-abueva/story/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}} In 2013, he announced that he had torn his ACL, this time on his opposite knee.{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2013 |title=Rob Reyes confirms torn ACL, grateful for prayers and support {{!}} InterAKTV |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rob-reyes-confirms-torn-acl-grateful-for-prayers-and-support |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604043120/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rob-reyes-confirms-torn-acl-grateful-for-prayers-and-support |archive-date=2013-06-04 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=InterAKTV}}

= Return to the Tropang Texters =

On October 14, 2013, Reyes and a 2015 second round draft pick were sent to Talk 'N Text.{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2013 |title=Al-Hussaini moves from TnT to Meralco as Air21 lands Cardona in three-team trade deal |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/al-hussaini-moves-from-tnt-to-meralco-as-air21-lands-cardona-in-complex-three-team-trade-v02 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} This marked a return to the franchise that had drafted him.{{Cite web |last=OLIVARES |first=RICK |date=2013-11-15 |title=THE IMMORTAL QUEST: TALK 'N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS |url=https://pba.inquirer.net/33961/the-immortal-quest-talk-n-text-tropang-texters |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}} He was able to win one more championship with Talk 'N Text in the 2015 Commissioner's Cup.

= NLEX Road Warriors =

Months after the 2015 PBA Draft, Reyes and Kevin Alas were sent to the NLEX Road Warriors in a three-team trade.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-13 |title=Dyip make wrong turn? Terrafirma trade moves raise alarm – Daily Tribune |url=https://archives.tribune.net.ph/2023/01/13/dyip-make-wrong-turn-terrafirma-trade-moves-raise-alarm/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |language=en-US}}

A season later, NLEX traded Reyes to the Mahindra Floodbuster for Bradwyn Guinto.{{Cite web |date=November 8, 2016 |title=Rob Reyes joins Mahindra as revised deal seals Bradwyn Guinto move to NLEX |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/mahindra-nlex-revised-deal-bradwyn-guinto-rob-reyes |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} Mahindra however didn't give him a contract. On December 15, 2016, he announced his retirement on his Instagram account, deciding to return to the US to be with his family.

PBA career statistics

{{Cite web |title=Rob Reyes Player Profile - PBA-Online.net |url=http://www.pba-online.net/profile/Rob-Reyes/166/ |website=PBA-Online.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214044214/http://www.pba-online.net/profile/Rob-Reyes/166/ |archive-date=February 14, 2017 }}

=Season-by-season averages=

| align=left | {{pbay|2008}}

| align=left | Talk 'N Text

| 23 || 7.4 || .359 || .000 || .444 || 1.7 || .4 || .2 || .4 || 1.6

| align=left | {{pbay|2009}}

| align=left | Barako Bull

| 23 || 24.7 || .421 || .000 || .559 || 5.0 || .8 || .4 || .8 || 5.3

| align=left | {{pbay|2010}}

| align=left | Powerade

| 28 || 16.0 || .426 || .000 || .769 || 4.4 || .8 || .4 || .7 || 4.6

| align=left | {{pbay|2011}}

| align=left | Petron

| 38 || 14.6 || .440 || .000 || .654 || 3.2 || .3 || .3 || .8 || 3.8

| align=left | {{pbay|2012}}

| align=left | Air21

| 15 || 15.7 || .426 || .000 || .607 || 4.4 || .8 || .6 || .5 || 4.6

| align=left | {{pbay|2013}}

| align=left | Talk 'N Text

| 22 || 7.9 || .276 || .000 || .333 || 1.6 || .1 || .1 || .1 || .9

| align=left | {{pbay|2014}}

| align=left | Talk 'N Text

| 23 || 12.2 || .432 || .000 || .543 || 3.3 || .3 || .3 || .1 || 3.9

| align=left | {{pbay|2015}}

| align=left | NLEX

| 27 || 8.5 || .500 || .000 || .562 || 2.0 || .1 || .1 || .3 || 1.8

|-class=sortbottom

| align=center colspan=2 | Career

| 199 || 13.4 || .422 || .000 || .598 || 3.2 || .4 || .3 || .5 || 3.3

Off the court

In 2012, while he was still playing for Petron and later on Air21, Reyes wrote a regular column for InterAKTV. In it he wrote about his experiences as a PBA player and being a Filipino-American.

Post-retirement

After retiring, Reyes took up surfing. In 2020, he started a fundraiser "Share the Stroke", that gives surfboards to children in La Union.{{Cite web |last=Ballesteros |first=Jan |date=March 20, 2023 |title=Former PBA player Rob Reyes is helping promote surfing with Share the Stoke project |url=https://www.onesports.ph/more-sports/article/10563/former-pba-player-rob-reyes-is-helping-promote-surfing-with-share-the-stoke-project |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=onesports.ph |language=en}}

Reyes also helps in recruiting Filipino-American players to play for the Philippines men's national basketball team, or to play in the Philippines.{{Cite web |last=Magallon |first=Reynald I. |date=July 19, 2024 |title=SBP in search for overseas talents to add to Gilas Youth programs |url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/19/sbp-in-search-for-overseas-talents-to-add-to-gilas-youth-programs |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en}} One player he recruited, James Laput, played for the DLSU Green Archers and was drafted in the first round of the Season 46 draft.{{Cite web |last=Go |first=Beatrice |date=September 17, 2019 |title=Get to know La Salle's 3 one-and-done Fil-foreign recruits |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/uaap/240077-things-know-la-salle-filipino-foreign-recruits-season-82/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123051805/https://www.rappler.com/sports/uaap/240077-things-know-la-salle-filipino-foreign-recruits-season-82/ |archive-date=2023-11-23 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Rappler}}{{Cite web |title=Rookie big man Laput gets sound advice from mentor Rob Reyes |url=https://pba.ph/news/rookie-big-man-laput-gets-sound-advice-from-mentor-rob-reyes |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=pba.ph |language=en}}

Personal life

Rob Reyes is the nephew of former PBA player Eric Reyes.{{Cite web |last=Reyes |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Reyes |date=March 14, 2012 |title=Rob Reyes: On Fil-foreigners in Pinoy sports {{!}} InterAKTV |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rob-reyes-on-fil-foreigners-in-pinoy-sports |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716065846/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rob-reyes-on-fil-foreigners-in-pinoy-sports |archive-date=2012-07-16 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Interaksyon.com}} He has a twin brother, Edmund.